(ABC 6 News) – The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced eight cities, including Rochester and Cannon Falls, will receive transportation planning grants to make their cities more walkable.

Rochester will receive $100,000 for an active transportation connection plan between 2 Street and through downtown.

Cannon Falls will also receive $100,000 for a community-wide active transportation plan.

“Whether a community wants to reduce pollution, curb traffic, revitalize its Main Street, or increase residents’ health and safety, MnDOT’s Active Transportation Planning Assistance program brings together neighbors to dream big and develop a work plan for building their own network for walking and bicycling,” said Will Wlizlo, “Active Transportation” coordinator.

The Active Transportation program offers grants to “make walking, biking and rolling better.” The goal with the program is to create sustainable non-car-centric infrastructure.

The grant goes only to consultancy to develop an action plan or demonstration; the grant does not include funding for transit.