City of Pittsburg to celebrate completion of Safe Routes to School Project

PITTSBURG, KS – The City of Pittsburg will celebrate the completion of its Safe Routes to School Project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 12:00 pm Tuesday, December 4, at Westside Elementary School. The event celebrates the construction of new multi-purpose trails at Westside Elementary School, Pittsburg Community Middle School and George Nettels Elementary School.

The project was made possible thanks to a grant for $187,183 from the Kansas Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School program and $53,000 in matching funds from the City of Pittsburg.

“These trails give children and their parents a much safer route to school, and provide additional destinations to the City’s existing trail system,” says City of Pittsburg Public Works Director Cameron Alden. “These new connectivity points are part our active transportation plan, which will connect residents to schools, businesses, recreation, retail and healthcare resources throughout the community.”

The Safe Routes to School Project began in June and resulted in a six-foot walkway along Homer Street from Centennial Drive to George Nettels, a 10-foot trail along Broadway Street in front of the middle school, and two 10-foot trails connecting the Watco Trail to Westside Elementary. The City also repaired a portion of sidewalk south of Westside along North Miles.

Rich Proffitt, superintendent of Pittsburg Community Schools says the Safe Routes to School Project is making a difference for students and their families.

“With the help of this grant, Westside Elementary, George Nettels Elementary, and Pittsburg Community Middle School students are now able to navigate safely while also giving parents peace of mind as they send their children to school,” said Proffitt.