About the project
The Safe Routes to School Program (SRTS) makes it safer for kids to travel to and from school and around the neighborhood. The Near North SRTS Project includes 8 bioretention basins into bump-outs and 5 planted traffic circles. These bioretention basins collect water from the road, let it soak through engineered media that removes pollutants, and then cleaner water goes back into the storm system. The basins and the traffic circles reduce impervious area, add space for trees and native plants, and improve water quality.
- Type of green infrastructure: Bioretention basins, sustainable landscaping, vegetated traffic circles
- Completion date: 2022
- Functions:
- Removes trash and pollutants from the water
- Collects rainwater from the roads, sidewalks, and buildings and cleans it before it flows to the city’s river, lakes, and streams
- Adds native plants and trees, and protects existing trees
- Creates a community amenity
- Combines safety and environmental goals
