PHILADELPHIA, MO. -- Students at Marion County R-II School have been walking on the streets to get to school for years.
That's because there haven't been sidewalks in Philadelphia, Missouri since the 1930's.
But with the help of the Missouri Department of Transportation, a $92,000 grant was awarded to put in sidewalks.
The road that leads up to Marion County R-II School has a sharp turn, making it difficult to see students who might be in the road.
"For years we've felt like we needed to get the kids out of the streets, because if you come to the beginning of the school day or the end of the school day, you see kids walking four a breast down the middle of the road or riding bicycles in the middle of the road. We've always felt it was a tremendous danger," said Marion County Commissioner Randy Spratt.
But that's about to change.
"It was something that became available when the Safe Routes to Schools Grants became available. So, we applied and felt like it could really be an asset to the young people in our town," said Marion County Commissioner Randy Spratt.
The Safe Routes to School grant is a state-wide competitive grant. 100% of the funding comes from the federal government, but was applied for through the Missouri Department of Transportation.
"They're looking for projects that can promote exercise and safety and sidewalks is a good way to get children off the roadways and on to a separated facility for them to safely get to school," said MoDOT transportation planning specialist Bob Manzke.
Once finished, the sidewalks will connect Marion County R-II School with the Community Center in town.
Actual construction most likely won't start until March due to the weather.
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