STATEHOUSE (Dec. 6, 2022) – More than $10.3 million is headed to local communities to accelerate road and bridge improvements, according to Northwest Indiana lawmakers.
"Year after year, Indiana continues to be recognized for the best infrastructure in the country thanks in large part to this program," said State Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie), chair of the House Roads and Transportation Committee. "These investments are critical to ensuring our roads and bridges remain safe to travel and open for business."
State Rep. Hal Slager (R-Schererville) said the local funding from the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program is for road and bridge preservation, road reconstruction, intersection improvements, guardrail replacements and signage, and can cover material costs for chip sealing and crack filling operations. In total, 229 towns, cities and counties will receive over $119 million in state matching grants.
"This is one of the best investments the state can make in our local communities," Slager said. "Hoosiers and businesses alike rely on our roads and bridges every day, and this program gives locals the ability to move forward more quickly on projects."
Area grant recipients include:
"Having a strong and sustainable infrastructure is necessary to maintain Indiana’s economy and promote growth," said State Rep. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron). "This program helps address our infrastructure needs and makes communities throughout the state a better place to call home."
State Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso) said smaller municipalities provide a 25 percent match in local funds, while large 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. To date, Hoosier communities are on the receiving end of more than $1 billion in Community Crossings Matching Grants, established in 2016 and expanded through laws authored by Soliday.
"Many communities around the state have ongoing projects or want to start new ones to fix their roads and bridges, but lack the resources to get them done," Soliday said. "This program helps provide communities meet their needs and make the most of their investment."
The Community Crossings program helps provide local communities with the necessary funds needed to fix their roads and bridges
"This unique program is a game changer for small towns and bigger cities as they're always looking for ways to stretch their dollars further," Teshka said. "Having safe and reliable roads is critical, especially as Indiana's economy and population grows."
According to the Indiana Department of Transportation, which oversees and awards the grants, the next call for projects is expected in January. Awards are released two times a year. More information can be found at in.gov/indot/communitycrossings or by emailing LPAQuestions@indot.in.gov.
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State Rep. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) represents House District 11,
which includes portions of Jasper, Lake, Newton 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 a portion 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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State Rep. Jake Teshka (R-South Bend) represents House District 7,
which includes portions of LaPorte, Marshall and St. Joseph counties.
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