SELMA — Children could walk to schools on sidewalks all over the city, if Selma City Council members pursue grants that would see the walkways constructed.

Selma City Council member Dr. Monica Newton has taken the lead on this project called Safe Routes.

Newton made a couple of points about the viability of the program by having children walk and bicycle to school.

These activities would improve the health of children by enabling and encouraging them to become active.

Additionally the program would provide badly needed sidewalks in the city, she explained.

Newton said she plans to pursue a grant through the Alabama Department of Transportation, which receive Safe Routes to Schools funds.

She has set up a meeting with parents and other interested individuals at Byrd School, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. to discuss the grant.

Alabama’s apportionment of program funds for the sidewalk is about $9 million with about $2 million allocated for each fiscal year.

The state’s new fiscal year begins today.

All the sidewalk projects must be located within a two mile radius of an elementary or middle school. A project is limited to $150,00 for funding. It may involve more than one school, such as crosswalk striping for several schools or it may involve a biking safety program for all K-8 schools in a system.