HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida lawmaker is looking to add millions of dollars in new sidewalks and other safety improvements to protect kids who walk to school.
Take a look at the full funding request
Senator Janet Cruz is asking the state of Florida to support Hillsborough County's transportation plan and community Vision Zero Action plan.
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The plans want to provide:
- Safer, more convenient and comfortable walking, cycling
- Access to transit
- Safer routes to and from school for students
This is intended to help kids in Hillsborough County who saw their courtesy busing eliminated because they live within two miles of their zoned school.
ABC Action News has documented several instances where kids are walking to school along busy roads with few, if any, sidewalks.
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The funding initiative would call for the construction of sidewalks, lighting, marked crosswalks, warning devices and other safety enhancements near schools.
Cruz attempted to have this put in place before, but her office said it dropped out of the budget during negotiations between the house and senate.
For parents who have kids walking in dangerous conditions now, they can petition the school district to provide a school bus by filling out this Hazardous Walking Condition Review Form.
