The future of safer routes around Niles Middle School is taking shape! September 11, Niles City Schools was proud to welcome officials from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the City of Niles to kick off the planning process for improvements made possible through a $500,000 Safe Routes to School grant. 

The Niles Middle School project is one of 17 projects receiving funding through ODOT’s 2026 Safe Routes to School program. Plans include improvements to crosswalks, sidewalks, and traffic signals around NMS, along with new speed and school-zone solar digital cameras to help promote safety.

"60 applications were submitted for consideration, only four in this region received funding, and this was the highest award" says Mike Teodecki, ODOT Project Manager for District 4. "Getting students to and from school safely is the highest priority."

This project has been more than a year in the making and is truly a school and community effort. Last fall, students helped identify areas where improvements are needed, participated in bike safety activities, and shared their input through an ODOT survey alongside Niles families. Superintendent Ann Marie Thigpen emphasized the importance of giving students a voice in their school and community.

“Your voice matters. When you speak up, good things can happen. We always want our kids to be involved in our school and community, and to see their work come to fruition is very exciting."

 

Niles City Planner and Event Coordinator Bianca Rozenblad says the grant is a tremendous opportunity for both the school and the community.  “This grant is a blessing to the city and the school district. City officials already knew improvements were needed, and this grant will help remove some of the challenges that are currently in place so students can walk and bike to school. The collaboration between all of the entities is so rewarding. The entire community will benefit from this.”

Construction is currently slated to begin in 2029.