STATEHOUSE (Nov. 3, 2021) – Northwest Indiana counties and communities will receive more than $12 million in state matching grants to steer toward much-needed road improvement projects, according to local lawmakers.
"The quality of our roads and bridges is vital to our state's economy," said State Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie), chair of the House Roads and Transportation Committee. "Continuing to maintain and improve our infrastructure will entice businesses to locate to our state, which will create jobs and help our communities grow."
State Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso) said 218 towns, cities and counties throughout Indiana received a combined total of over $101 million through the Community Crossings Matching Grant program. Soliday authored legislation establishing the program in 2016 and its expansion in 2017. The Indiana Department of Transportation oversees and distributes these grants twice each year.
"Thanks to this program, communities in our area are getting the funds needed to improve their roads and bridges," Soliday said. "The state and local governments came together and worked hard to ensure this long-term investment in our infrastructure will benefit Hoosiers now and well into the future."
State Rep. Hal Slager (R-Schererville) said Lake and LaPorte counties received $1 million each for local road and bridge projects. In addition, 18 communities in the area received state matching grants:
"The funding provided by these grants is helping our local communities, both large and small, invest in critical infrastructure projects," said Slager, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee. "Hoosiers, visitors and businesses across the state rely on our roads and bridges every day, so it's important to get these projects approved and done quickly to keep motorists safe."
State Rep. Julie Olthoff (R-Crown Point) said communities can use these funds for road and bridge preservation, road reconstruction, intersection improvements, guardrail replacements and signage. Smaller municipalities must provide a 25 percent match in local funds, while large communities must provide a 50 percent match. State law requires that 50 percent of the available matching funds be awarded annually to communities within counties with a population of 50,000 or fewer.
"Improving local infrastructure will always be a priority and the Community Crossings program ensures even smaller and more rural communities get the help they need," Olthoff said. "Completing road and bridge projects are vital to economic development efforts and will allow communities to stretch their dollars further and use them elsewhere."
More information about the program and recipients can be found online at in.gov/indot/communitycrossings.
"These grants will help local communities across the state move ahead on improvements to roads and bridges, which is important for our safety, economic growth and quality of life," said State Rep. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron). "Indiana remains in a strong place financially and can afford to continue making strategic investments."
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State Rep. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) represents House District 11,
which includes portions of Lake and Porter counties.
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State Rep. Julie Olthoff (R-Crown Point) represents House District 19,
which includes a portion of Lake and Porter counties.
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State Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) represents House District 20,
which includes portions of LaPorte and Starke counties.
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State Rep. Hal Slager (R-Schererville) represents House District 15,
which includes portions of Lake County.
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State Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso) represents House
District 4, which includes a portion of Porter County.
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