A $1.1 million grant awarded to the Town of Manlius will support new sidewalks along Enders Road, helping create safer walking routes to Eagle Hill Middle School and Enders Road Elementary School.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez announced the funding during an Oct. 14 event at Eagle Hill Middle School. Fayetteville-Manlius Superintendent Dr. Magda Parvey attended the announcement.
Plans include sidewalks that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, along with pedestrian crossing signs and flashing beacons to alert drivers to people crossing. Guide rail will also be installed to discourage roadside parking. Dominguez noted that the project will improve connections between the school campuses and Fayetteville-Manlius High School.
“Now children are going to be able to walk safely to and from school. They’re going to be able to bike to and from school,” Dominguez said.
“Student safety extends beyond our school buildings, and these improvements will help families feel more confident walking to our campuses,” said Superintendent Dr. Magda Parvey. “We’re grateful to the community members who advocated for this project and to our town and state partners for helping make it possible.”
The commissioner credited community advocacy with helping advance the project, specifically recognizing Monica Browning and Onondaga County Legislator Elaine Dutton for their efforts to raise awareness of the need for safer pedestrian access.
“Perhaps my favorite part of this project is the community leadership that’s really behind so much of it,” Dominguez said.
The Manlius award is part of $97.1 million in funding for approximately 30 communities statewide through the Transportation Alternatives Program. Administered by NYSDOT with funding through the Federal Highway Administration, the competitive grant program supports nonmotorized transportation projects that improve opportunities for walking and bicycling.
Dominguez described the investment as part of a broader effort to close gaps in pedestrian routes and make communities more accessible. She also reminded drivers that infrastructure improvements must be accompanied by attentive driving, particularly near schools.
“Transportation safety is public safety,” she said.