Reviewed by: Selah Vetter
How 2 grants are making Rainbow City more walkable
Having a walkable city where people can safely walk and ride bikes is important for our well-being and ability to travel places. According to The Gadsden Times, the application for the Federal Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside has been approved for Rainbow City. Read on to learn all the details of the sidewalk extension from Rainbow Middle School to the Etowah County Mega Sports Complex.
What is the Federal Transportation Alternative Set-Aside?
First established in 2012, the Federal Transportation Alternatives Set-aside Program provides federal funds for community-based “non-traditional” surface transportation projects. Essentially, the grants from this program go towards any non-motorized forms of transportation. That means municipalities can focus on building a more walkable city.
How Rainbow City is becoming more walkable
Rainbow City is the recipient of two grants and one will focus on extending the sidewalks from Rainbow Middle School along Kinzie Lane to the Etowah County Mega Sports Complex.
We’re thrilled to see this sidewalk accommodate pedestrians and bike riders, which will also include an improved crosswalk at the sports complex. You’ll be glad to know that this sidewalk will be wider with more lights so soccer moms can guarantee their children’s safety as they run to the improved soccer fields over at the complex.
Mayor Joe Taylor claims the project will take roughly $1M to complete and is expected to be completed by summer 2023.
An even greener city
On top of becoming more walkable, Rainbow City will be improving the recycling system. According to The Gadsden Times, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management has provided $41,120 for this improvement. As of right now, the city has drop-off recycling for cardboard and has future plans to accept plastic bottles.
We can’t wait to see what is yet to come for Rainbow City. Go Panthers!
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