Newton secures state grant to develop first Safe Routes to School plan
Community input sought for upcoming pedestrian and bicycle safety initiatives
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Sign up freeThe City of Newton will develop its first comprehensive plan to make walking and bicycling to local schools safer after securing a Safe Routes to School planning grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation. The 2026-2027 grant, which requires no local matching funds, pairs the city with consultants from Toole Design to evaluate traffic conditions and draft specific policy, program and infrastructure recommendations. The effort builds on previous community discussions to identify the most effective street improvements for students commuting to classes.
To gather feedback on where safety upgrades are most needed, the city will host an open house next Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Fischer Field during the Newton High School soccer games. Caregivers and residents can also participate by completing an online survey, mapping concerns on an interactive project webpage or emailing input directly to city representative Eduardo Hernandez and project consultant Sarah Davis. Newton is one of four Kansas communities, alongside Coffeyville, Garden City and Liberal, to receive a state planning grant for the current school year.
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