STATEHOUSE (Nov. 8, 2024) – Lake County lawmakers said local communities will soon be on the move with more road and bridge projects with the help of recently released state funding.
Funding is available through Indiana's Community Crossings Matching Grant Program, which can be used for road reconstruction, bridge preservation, intersection improvements and other projects. A total of 223 communities across the state will receive more than $139 million in state matching grants.
"Safe bridges and roads help keep our communities thriving," said State Rep. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron). "Through these grants, they can better maintain vital roadways and ensure safer travel for Hoosiers and visitors."
Area grant recipients include:
"When our communities grow, so do our needs for quality infrastructure," said State Rep. Julie Olthoff (R-Crown Point). "With the help of Community Crossings grants, our cities, town and counties can continue to improve their roads and bridges without straining their budgets."
To qualify for the competitive grant, smaller municipalities provide a 25 percent match in local funds, while larger communities provide a 50 percent match. State law requires 50 percent of the available matching funds be awarded annually to communities within counties with a population of 50,000 or fewer. Since 2016, Community Crossings has awarded more than $1.8 billion to improve local roads and bridges.
"Not all communities have the funds and resources to handle continual road and bridge maintenance, especially as the costs associated with these projects continue to go up," said State Rep. Hal Slager (R-Schererville). "Community Crossings grants give locals more budget flexibility to improve their infrastructure and on a faster timeline."
Visit in.gov/indot/communitycrossings and click on "Community Crossings Matching Grant" to learn more about the program.
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State Rep. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) represents House District 11,
which includes portions of Jasper, Lake, Newton and Porter counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Julie Olthoff (R-Crown Point) represents House District 19,
which includes portions of Lake and Porter counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Hal Slager (R-Schererville) represents House District 15,
which includes a portion of Lake County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
