STATEHOUSE (April 15, 2020) – Local communities were recently awarded more than $2.3 million in state matching grants to bolster road and bridge improvements, according to State Reps. Steve Davisson (R-Salem) and Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty).
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 Davisson supported in 2017.
“Our roads and bridges are assets to our community for business and travel," Davisson said. "We are making these improvements a priority through legislation that created a 20-year road improvement plan across Indiana. This commitment will boost our infrastructure for years to come, without creating unnecessary debt."
Orange County received $962,613 for local road projects. In addition, several communities received matching grants:
Bartels 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.
"Especially in our rural areas, roads are critical for Hoosiers to access goods, services, emergency services and their jobs," Bartels said. "Our communities need these funds to help accomplish projects that would be out of reach if the state had not started this great program."
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. Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty) represents House District 74,
which includes portions of Spencer, Dubois, Perry, Crawford and Orange counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Steve Davisson (R-Salem) represents House District 73, which includes
Washington County, and portions of Jackson, Lawrence, Orange, Clark and Harrison counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
