Massachusetts 2026–2027 Safe Routes to School Signs and Lines & Infrastructure Funding
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has opened two current Safe Routes to School (SRTS) funding opportunities to improve safety and accessibility for students walking, bicycling, and rolling to public schools.
Track 1: Signs and Lines Program
- Application deadline: September 25, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern under the current MassDOT guidance.
- Funding: Design services plus up to $14,000 in construction funding per selected municipality.
- Expected selections: Up to five municipalities.
- Project area: Low-cost safety projects within one-half mile of a public elementary, middle, or high school.
- Examples: New or improved signage and pavement markings along key routes to school.
- Funding mechanism: Reimbursement-based; MassDOT reimburses eligible municipal spending after completion.
- Completion target: Projects must be completed by June 1, 2027 under MassDOT’s current announcement.
Track 2: SRTS Infrastructure Project Funding Program
- Application deadline: October 16, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. under MassDOT’s current program announcement. The cited announcement does not separately state a time zone.
- Submission: Through MassDOT’s Massachusetts Project Intake Tool (MaPIT).
- Purpose: Transportation construction and capital improvements that improve safety and increase the number of children walking and biking to school within two miles of a participating school.
- Examples: Sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, bicycle facilities, traffic-calming measures, and other route-safety/accessibility improvements.
- Project process: Selected projects move through MassDOT project development, including scoping, design development, and construction.
Eligibility and applicant structure
MassDOT states that Safe Routes to School partner schools that have participated in the program for at least six months as of August 26, 2026 are encouraged to apply, and a municipal contact must serve as the primary applicant. Applicants should use the current guidance documents for the applicable track to verify every partnership, project-location, design, municipal-commitment, budget, and submission requirement before filing.
School and community relevance
These programs directly support school safety, accessibility, active transportation, and safer routes for students and families. MassDOT reports that the Massachusetts SRTS program serves more than 1,350 schools in more than 280 communities and works with municipalities, education leaders, public health departments, law enforcement, and community organizations.
Atlas assessment
Atlas Opportunity Score: 88/100. School Funding Score: 96/100. These are current, official, statewide school-safety infrastructure opportunities with clearly defined municipal-school partnerships and near-term deadlines.
N9+ Fit Score: 0/100. QC Healthcare Fit: 0/100. Dr. Miltie direct-applicant fit: 0/100. This is transportation and school-safety infrastructure funding rather than healthcare equipment or direct Dr. Miltie procurement. Atlas value is concentrated in opportunity identification, municipal/school eligibility verification, application organization, and package support.
Authoritative sources
MassDOT Safe Routes to School Engineering
MassDOT 2026–2027 Safe Routes to School funding announcement