What items are NOT eligible for reimbursement under the federal program?

States are not permitted to use Section 1404 (Safe Routes to School) funds for projects that do not specifically serve the stated purposes of the Safe Routes to School Program, nor should they be used for reoccurring costs except as specifically provided in the legislation. For example, in general, Program funds should not be used to pay crossing guard salaries, as these are reoccurring costs (although funds may be used for crossing guard training  programs).

The use of Section 1404 funds for projects that reorganize pick-up and drop-off primarily for the convenience of drivers rather than to improve child safety and/or walking and bicycling access is not permitted, nor should Program funds be spent on education programs that are primarily focused on bus safety. Improvements to bus stops are not eligible for this funding.

Some project development costs may meet the federal eligibility criteria but are ruled ineligible by Michigan Department of Transportation for programmatic purposes—primarily to enable the limited Safe Routes to School funds to support more projects.

MDOT considers the following costs to be ineligible for funding: design engineering; construction engineering; project administration; environmental clearance and mitigation; and construction extras and cost overruns.



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