STATEHOUSE (April 10, 2020) – Communities in Lake and Porter counties were recently awarded more than $12.6 million in state matching grants to bolster road and bridge improvements, according to State Reps. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) and Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso).
Over 200 Indiana cities, towns and counties received a combined total of $126.5 million through the Community Crossings Matching Grant program. The grants are made available through the Indiana Department of Transportation as a result of a law Soliday authored and Aylesworth supported in 2017.
“This is one of the best investments the state can make in our local communities,” Aylesworth said. "Addressing our infrastructure makes Indiana a better place to call home and can help attract new jobs to the area."
Porter County received $500,000 for local road projects. In addition, several communities received matching grants:
Soliday said grant funding can be used toward road and bridge preservation, road reconstruction, intersection improvements, guardrail replacements and signage. Smaller municipalities must provide a match of 25% in local funds, while large communities must provide a 50% match.
"These matching grants continue to stimulate local communities and it is a program I'm happy to see continue directing a significant amount of money to counties, cities and towns," Soliday said. "Not only do these funds improve our roads, but they also employ workers to complete the projects. Our state's comprehensive road funding plan started with the idea of responsibly planning to maintain roads and bridges, and this program will continue to help for many more years to come."
In total, more than $738 million has been distributed for local road projects through the Community Crossings program. State law requires annually that 50 percent of the available matching funds be awarded to communities within counties with a population of 50,000 or fewer.
An estimated $100 million will be available for communities opting to apply for these grants during the July 2020 call for projects. More information about the program and recipients can be found at www.in.gov/indot.
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State Rep. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) represents House District 11,
which includes portions of Lake and Porter counties.
Click here for a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso) represents House
District 4, which includes a portion of Porter County.
Click here for a high-resolution photo.
