SOUTHERN ILLINOIS — Herrin and Murphysboro are among several communities across the state that have been awarded an IDOT Safe Routes to School grant.

Governor J.B. Pritzker made the grant announcements Tuesday in Springfield.

Herrin will get $89,034 and Murphysboro will get $76,000 for sidewalk improvements, crossing improvements and signage.

More than $5.5 million is being awarded to local communities for projects that encourage students to walk or bike to school. Herrin and Murphysboro are among 39 projects made possible through IDOT’s Safe Routes to School program. A total of 160 applications were received from across the state.

The next application period for Safe Routes to School is anticipated in the fall of 2020. Visit www.idot.illinois.gov/srts or email DOT.SafeRoutes@Illinois.gov for more information.