MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The City of Gulf Shores will receive $122,729 from theAlabama Department of Transportation as part of Alabama's Safe Routes to School program.

The SRTS program encourages and enables more children in Grades K-8 to safely walk and bicycle to school in their community. SRTS helps communities promote the health benefits associated with walking, biking and exercising by providing funding to improve pedestrian conditions around schools.

Alabama schools and communities can submit SRTS funding proposals to the Alabama Department of Transportation that address roadway and safety issues such as congestion within school zones and inadequate pedestrian facilities by designing on-street improvements to make traveling to school safer.

To apply for funding, contact ALDOT at 334-353-6403. The applicationdeadline for the 2012 school year is March 31.

Alabama's SRTS program is supported by the Alabama Departments of Transportation, Education, and Public Health. For more information on Safe Routes to Schools, visit www.adph.org/srts>.

ALDOT's mission is to provide a safe, efficient, environmentally sound transportation network across Alabama. For additional information, visit www.dot.state.al.us>.