The Indiana Department of Transportation recently issued a combined $119.4 million in state matching funds to 229 Indiana cities, towns, and counties to support local road projects through the “Community Crossings” program.
[Above photo by INDOT]
That program is part of the state’s Next Level Roads program, which is a 20-year plan established in 2017 by Governor Eric Holcomb (R) and the state legislature to enhance Indiana’s highways and local roads by awarding communities grants for “shovel-ready” local road construction projects.
“Modernizing and improving transportation infrastructure is a key component of driving economic development in the Hoosier state,” the governor said in a statement. “The Community Crossings program continues to help take communities to the next level by providing safe, reliable roads and bridges for residents and visitors alike.”
Communities submitted applications for funding during a call for projects in July and August, evaluated based on need and current conditions, as well as impacts to safety and economic development.
To qualify for funding, local governments must provide local matching funds of 50 percent for larger communities or 25 percent for smaller communities and have an asset management plan for maintaining existing roads and bridges. State law requires annually awarding 50 percent of the available matching funds to communities within counties with a population of 50,000 or fewer.
Funding for Community Crossings comes from the state’s local road and bridge matching grant fund and it has provided more than $1 billion in state matching funds for local construction projects since 2016.
“Community Crossings is a tremendous opportunity for towns, cities and counties to enhance local road networks across the state,” added INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith. “[We look] forward to partnering with locals to deliver on projects that will have a positive impact on safety and bring business to Indiana. I’m excited to see the progress in these communities throughout the coming year.”
He noted that the next call for Community Crossing projects occurs in January 2023.
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