Unincorporated areas in Bakersfield are receiving a $1.8 million boost through the state’s Safe Routes to Schools program, part of a larger $2.7 billion statewide transportation package.
The funding was awarded to Kern County Public Works to install flashing beacons, crosswalks, Americans with Disabilities Act ramps and other improvements at existing uncontrolled multi-lane crosswalks to benefit seven adjacent schools, according to a state description of the project.
According to the California Environmental Quality Act online portal, the funding will support upgrades to six existing multilane crosswalks on arterial and collector roads in unincorporated areas of Oildale and east Bakersfield.
Improvements will be installed at various locations. Cross streets listed include Olive Drive, Roberts Lane, Bernard Street, Mt. Vernon Avenue and East California Avenue.
In a statement Friday, Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, praised the announcement.
“Parents in Oildale should not 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,” Grove said.
“This $1.8 million investment will install warning beacons, better signs and ADA ramps at uncontrolled multilane crosswalks so children and families can travel more safely.”
In an email, Grove’s office said improvements will be installed on Olive Drive at Teakwood Drive; Roberts Lane at Higgins Drive and Roberts Lane at Plymouth Avenue, all in Oildale.
In east Bakersfield, improvements are to be installed at Bernard Street at Lynn Street; Mt. Vernon Avenue at Monterey Street; and California Avenue at Bates Avenue.
Schools impacted by the improvements include Horace Mann Elementary; Mt. Vernon Elementary; North Beardsley Elementary; Beardsley Jr. High School; Standard Middle School; East Bakersfield High School and College Heights Elementary.
The upgrades are part of a larger $2.7 billion transportation package funding more than 150 projects across the state, including improvements to Highways 128 and 58 in Kern County.
According to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office, the bulk of the funding for the projects, $1.6 billion, comes from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and another $542 million from state Senate Bill 1 in 2017, which raised taxes on gasoline to pay for road repair.