Macon-Bibb Gets Grant for Ingram-Pye School Safety Upgrades

Macon-Bibb County has been selected for a major Safe Routes to School (SRTS) initiative, one of only a few communities nationwide to receive the honor. The county secured a grant through the National Center for Safe Routes to School’s “Quick-Build Projects” program, funded by General Motors.

The grant supported new safety measures on Anthony Road in front of Ingram-Pye Elementary School. Students, working with U Create Macon, painted crosswalks to make them more visible, while crews installed bollards to create a “road diet,” reducing travel lanes to improve safety and lower crash risks.

The improvements target a high-need area in Census Tract 105, where youth ages 10–19 make up 36% of the population, 67% of residents are renters, more than half live below the poverty line, and the median household income is $13,824. Many families in the area lack access to private vehicles, making safe walking and biking routes a priority.

In May, students repainted crosswalks for Safe Routes to School Day. “The crosswalk painting… was an exemplary act of community service by the kids, demonstrating their commitment to safety and making a positive impact in their neighborhood,” said U Create Macon Founder Charise Stephens.

A Safe Routes to School Summit is scheduled for Wednesday, October 1, at the Bibb County Professional Learning Center, with more details to be announced. The event will bring together local and state leaders, educators, safety advocates, and community partners to enhance strategies for keeping children safe on their way to and from school.