(a) The Executive Office of Transportation and Construction shall establish and administer a Safe Routes to School Program to distribute federal grants under the Safety Set-Aside Program (23 U.S.C. Section 133), as amended, to political subdivisions for projects to improve safety in and around school areas. Projects eligible to receive grants under this program may include (among others):
(1) education programs
(2) construction of wide outside lanes to be used as bike routes.
(3) construction of multi-use trails;
(4) construction and replacement of sidewalks;
(5) implementation of traffic-calming programs in neighborhoods around schools; and
(6) installation of new crosswalks, bike lanes, and signage where appropriate;
(b) The department, in considering grant proposals under this section, shall consider:
(1) the demonstrated need of the applicant;
(2) the potential of the proposal to reduce child injuries and fatalities;
(3) the potential of the proposal to encourage walking and bicycling among students;
(4) identification of safety hazards;
(5) identification of current and potential walking and bicycling routes to school; and
(6) support for the projects proposed by local school-based associations, traffic engineers, elected officials, law enforcement agencies, and school officials.
(c) The department shall give priority in allocating money received by the department from the federal government under the Safety Set-Aside Program (23 U.S.C. Section 133), as amended, to grants under this section.
(d) The department shall adopt rules to implement this section.