Every morning, thousands of kids across the area rush out their doors and hit the sidewalks on their way to school. Some parents say busy streets make that trip a little scary—for them

But, we have some good news for moms and dads: This year the Department of Transportation is giving out $3.5 million for Safe Routes to School.

Now, some local towns and cities are cashing in on some big-time grants to make the walks safer for little legs.

Every day, Jada Ruppelt sends two of her three kids off to Sherman Elementary School.

"They love it,” she says. “It's a good opportunity for them to go back and forth from home and school and have the accomplishment that they can do it by themselves."

It isn't a long walk. The kids meet up with the bike path just a block up the road.

“I can ride fast!” Jada’s son Jordan tells us.

But in a neighborhood full of kids and cars, Jada says you can never be too safe.

"We needed updated crosswalks, crosswalk signs and curbs,” she says.

Now, thanks to a $204,000 grant from the DOT and some long hours at city hall, Sherman is set to get just that.

"We're always short on funding for improvements around town, so anytime there's grant money available, it eases the strain on city budgets,” says Eau Claire Transportation Engineer Ross Spitz

Spitz spent long hours working on the grant application. But, says it definitely paid off; Eau Claire got one of the largest amounts in the state.

That means parents will see more signs, There will be more bike racks to ease crowding, crossing guards will get new vests, and the sidewalks will soon be safer for all.

“Each corner intersection costs $1500,” Spitz says. “When the were built years ago, they were just round flat corners. The curb ramps allow the kids to stay on the sidewalks."

That makes Spitz happy.

"It's a rewarding process," he says.

It also puts moms and dads at ease.

"Safe Steps makes me, as a parent, feel a lot better," Jada tells us.

And it lets kids continue to scoot off to school.

"It's kinda nice cuz everyone gets to do stuff,” Jordan explains.

The Eau Claire City Council still has to approve the grant. That could happen next week.

La Crosse, Menomonie, Elk Mound and Altoona also got grants.