AUSTIN Help is on the way for communities across Texas that are working to make walking and bicycling to school safer for students.

The Texas Transportation Commission today approved approximately $24.7 million in projects for the Safe Routes to Schools program. Statewide, 244 projects in more than 66 communities were approved.

Safe Routes for Schools is a national program that distributes designated state and federal funds to enhance safety in and around school areas.

"Safety is our most important obligation to the public," said Carlos Lopez, TxDOT's director of traffic operations. "And children - as pedestrians and passengers - are our priority."

Safe Routes projects include sidewalks, pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements, on-street bicycle facilities, off-street bicycle and pedestrian facilities, bicycling parking facilities, and more. Non-infrastructure projects, such as education and awareness programs, will also be funded as part of the program.

Schools districts like the San Angelo ISD are benefiting from a $750,000 improvement project, which includes sidewalk and crosswalk improvements and electronic school zone signs.

TxDOT issued a call for projects last winter and encouraged cities and school districts to work together in submitting project applications.

Safe Routes to Schools is a comprehensive program designed to improve the bicycle and pedestrian safety of school-age children; encourage a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age; enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school; and to facilitate projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of schools.