SAN MARCOS, Calif. – Brand new sidewalks and flashy beacon lights are just a few of the improvements in store for the San Marcos (Calif.) Unified School District, thanks to three grants from the state Department of Transportation (DOT) this year.
The DOT awarded the district $221,000 to install dual-flashing beacon lights and speed detector signs in all schools in the district except alternative schools. A $44,000 grant will allow them to replace 130 old traffic and school-crossing signs.
The $990,000 grant will pay for sidewalk construction along Rock Springs Road, combined with a $391,000 grant received last year for an adjacent sidewalk. The projects are expected to cost $2.2 million, according to city engineer Mike Edwards. The city will cover the $819,000 not included in the grants.
Edwards says the city plans to apply for more grants to build a sidewalk near Richland Elementary school. They hope to have them completed before the 2008-09 school year.
