By Olivia Cohen
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Nearly $2 million will be funneled into Kern County to help fund safer roads in Oildale.
Secured by State Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield), about $1.8 million will be allocated for a new “Safe Route to School project” in Oildale, aiming to make it safer for children and families to work and travel throughout the community.
The project will include installing flashing traffic control beacons, warning signs and accessible ramps at several uncontrolled, multi-lane crosswalks in Oildale, in East Bakersfield.
Officials with the project said the upgrades are meant to give students “clearer, more visible crossings and improve access for residents with disabilities.”
In a statement on Friday, Grove said parents in Oildale shouldn’t “have to worry that their kids can’t get to school safely.”
“Every child deserves a safe walk to the classroom, whether that is a first-grader holding a parent’s hand or a student crossing a busy street on their own,” she stated. “This $1.8 million investment will install warning beacons, better signs, and ADA ramps at uncontrolled multi-lane crosswalks so children and families can travel more safely.”
Grove’s funding announcement comes as officials said about $2.7 billion will be divided throughout the state to improve highway safety, enhance transit options and to help prepare for climate change impacts.
A slice of that funding will go to Kern County to rehabilitate pavements and drainage systems on State Route 223, near Arvin.
Specifically, $8.73 million for the project will also go toward replacing sign panels, transportation management systems and to construct Americans with Disabilities-compliant curb ramps and sidewalks.
The construction and upgrades on State Route 223 will be west of Comanche Drive through St. Thomas Street.
This article originally appeared on KGET.com: https://www.kget.com/news/local-news/sen-shannon-grove-announces-1-8m-in-funding-for-oildale-transportation-safety/
