Safe Routes Utah

The Safe Routes Utah Program is run through the Utah Department of Transportation’s Traffic and Safety Division. The main goal of the program is to assist communities and encourage students to safely walk or bike to school. The following sections will outline the legal and statutory basis and requirements of the Safe Routes Utah program, identify responsible parties for each requirement, evaluate the existing process to identify shortcomings, and recommend improvements. 

Under Utah law, all K-8 schools  (public, private, and charter) are required to create and distribute a Safe Routes Utah plan (sometimes called a “child access routing plan”), which identifies the safest routes to school. Safe Routes Utah provides free resources to assist schools in creating and distributing their Safe Routes Plan to students and parents. Additionally, the Safe Routes Utah program provides outreach and resources to local schools through the following programs:

• Beat the Streets: Pedestrian Safety assemblies for K-6 students
• Construction Safety Assemblies (for areas experiencing heavy roadway construction)
• Utah Walk and Roll Challenge: Provides monthly prizes for walking and biking to school
• Crossing Guard Training and Resources
• Middle School Health Curriculum: Pedestrian safety focus
• Middle School Math Curriculum: Teaches statistics concepts using Utah crash data

For more information about Safe Routes Utah and free resources to educate and encourage students to walk and bike safely to school visit saferoutes.utah.gov.

Safe Routes to School Grants Program

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) administers an annual grant program to help address school transportation safety needs. Available funding can be used for non-infrastructure (education and encouragement programs) and infrastructure projects (physical improvements – primarily new sidewalks, but also school crossings, pavement markings, signage, bicycle parking, etc.). UDOT issues a call for projects annually in the Fall. If you would like to be added to the notification list please email Travis Evans using the contact information below. All grants require a 6.67% local match and must follow federal funding requirements. More information can be found at the links below.

2026 Application Schedule for FY 2028 Funding:

• October 1, 2026 – Call for applications. Application link on this page will be updated.
• Local UDOT Region Workshops (Note: You do not need to wait until workshops to ask questions. You can attend any workshop.  Virtual option available upon request.)
  • Region 1 – 2:00 PM – January 4, 2027 – 166 W Southwell St., Ogden, UT 84404-4194 – Large Conference Room
  • Region 2 – 3:00 PM – January 5, 2027 – 2010 South 2760 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84104 – Hurley Conference Room
  • Region 3 – 2:00 PM – January 6, 2027 – 658 N 1500 W, Orem, Utah 84057 – Conference Room A
  • Region 4 – 2:30 PM – January 7, 2027 – 210 West 800 South, Richfield, UT 84701 – Pahvant Conference Room
• March 5, 2027 – Applications due to UDOT by 5:00 PM (See the last page of this application or review guide for submittal process)
• March 19, 2027 – Applications distributed to Advisory Committee for review and scoring
• April 22, 2027 – Applicant presentations and Advisory Committee project selection
  • UDOT Complex – 4501 Constitution Blvd, Salt Lake City, UT 84129, USA – Summit Room 3^rd Floor
• April 30, 2027 – Applicants notified of grant award
• October 1, 2027 – Funding available

FY27 SRTS Application Forms (old):

FY28 SRTS Application Forms(Coming October 1, 2026)

Previously Approved Applications

For questions, please contact Travis Evans, Active Transportation Safety Program Manager at [email protected]