City encourages kids to bike to school

WASHINGTON, Ind. (WTHI) - Washington, Ind. is trying to encourage kids to walk or bike to school.

The city is getting some financial help on the project from the Indiana Department of Transportation through the Safe Routes to School Program.

Washington is finishing up paperwork for a $250,000 grant to build sidewalks to help kids safely get to Lena Dunn Elementary School.

Now, the Indiana Department of Transportation said the city has received another grant under the program.

"This is for planning for a safe routes to school plan to connect all three elementary schools in the city of Washington along with the recreational facilities," Brian Malone of INDOT said.

While Lena Dunn sits off on its own, the community's other two elementary schools are on busy highways.

The $75,000 grant is being used on planning and studies, not construction.

"There are a lot of times you don't want to drive, you don't need to drive. This is a great thing for the environment, a great thing for health," Washington City Councilman Art Biddinger said.

Washington was one of seven communities in Indiana sharing in $3 million in grants in the Safe Routes to school Program.