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Rectangular rapid flashing beacons are planned for the junction of Idaho and 7th street to alert motorists of kids crossing to reach the swimming pool complex.
Rectangular rapid flashing beacons are planned for the junction of Idaho and 7th street to alert motorists of kids crossing to reach the swimming pool complex.
KAMIAH — The City of Kamiah will receive two grants totaling $727,000 to improve sidewalks and street crossings to promote safer pedestrian travel. One grant is funded by the State of Idaho, the other from federal funds, with both programs administered by Idaho’s Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC).
Scott Linja, a project engineer with Keller & Associates Engineering, worked with Mike Tornatore, Kamiah’s deputy city clerk to apply for both grants. Linja explained the terms of the grants to the city council and mayor during the July 27 Kamiah city council meeting. Both applications focus on improving pedestrian connections between the school, swimming pool complex and downtown. They show the poor condition of many sidewalks and inconsistency with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility standards for the sidewalks, curb ramps and crosswalks, in terms of width and slope.
Scott Linja, project engineer, Keller & Associates Engineering, explains recently awarded grants to Kamiah City Council.
Progress / Norma Staaf
The City of Kamiah will receive $250,000 as part of the 2022 Children Pedestrian Safety Grant, Linja said. Kamiah is one of 45 applicants selected for the grant out of 79 cities, highway districts and counties that applied, according to information provided on LHTAC’s website.
The grant terms will require the funds to be used by December 2023, Linja said.
This grant is part of Governor Little’s Leading Idaho plan. The Idaho State legislature approved $10 million in one-time surplus FY 22 funds for projects that improve pedestrian crossings used by children, such as school crossings and safe routes to school, according to a July 22 governor’s office press release.
Kamiah’s Child Pedestrian Safety Grant includes two components “to promote safe student and pedestrian travel,” according to the grant application. A rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) will be installed at the 8th Street/Idaho St. intersection to promote a safer crosswalk to the swimming pool. An RRFB provides high visibility to alert motorists to the crosswalk.
Replacing sidewalks, curb ramps and crosswalks from Maple St. to Main St. on 9th, Main St, then on Main to 8th, and 8th to Idaho will promote safer travel between the school and the swimming pool.
Kamiah also received $477,000 from the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). Linja explained TAP is a long-term federal program that focuses on pedestrian routes. Grant funds would be available for design in FY 2024 and construction in FY 2025, according to Linja. The two grants intentionally include overlapping descriptions which will provide the city flexibility, according to Linja. Since the two projects are funded two years apart, the TAP project would continue where the Child Pedestrian Grant leaves off. The TAP project would include additional sidewalk, curb ramps and crosswalks to connect the schools and pool complex with downtown.
