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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – A grant written up and prepared by Central Valley Unit Administrator Robin Iszler has been approved by the North Dakota Department of Transportation.

The grant money will be used for new sidewalks and walking paths by Jamestown High, Gussner Elementary Schools and the Two Rivers Activity Center. It will also make the area more safely accessible for residents and college students in the area.

“A committee was created that included myself, Superintendent Robert Lech, TRAC and school officials,” Iszler stated. “Our goal in applying for the grant was to improve walking to and from school so kids could have safe transportation on foot.”

The grant was applied for in January and approval of the grant was learned Thursday evening. It is part of the NDDOT’s Transportation Alternatives Program.

“It will create a path from TRAC to the High School as well as paths from Gussner to other parts of the community,” Iszler pointed out. “There’s a match component, so the city will need to provide some matching funds.”

The grant will provide $276,953 to the Jamestown Safe Routes to Schools Project, which will cost $440,000 total. Iszler says the project will be completed in 2018.

“It is encouraging to see the commitment that the city of Jamestown has made on the continued development of a safe and accessible safe routes to school sidewalk system,” stated Grant Levi, Director of the NDDOT. “This project is important towards improving pedestrian and bicycle movements and will benefit the quality of life in the active community.”

City Administrator Jeff Fuchs gave special thanks to Robin Iszler for putting together the grant and to the committee who assisted with the project.