STATEHOUSE (Dec. 7, 2022) – More than $3.6 million is headed to LaPorte County communities to accelerate local road and bridge improvements, according to State Reps. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) and Jake Teshka (R-South Bend).
Pressel 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.
"Year after year, Indiana continues to be recognized for the best infrastructure in the country thanks in large part to this program," said Pressel, 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."
Area grant recipients include:
Teshka 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.
"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 grow."
According to the Indiana Department of Transportation, which oversees and awards the grants, the next call for projects is expected in January. Awards are releases 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. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) represents House District 20,
which includes portions of LaPorte and Starke counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Jake Teshka (R-South Bend) represents House District 7,
which includes portions of LaPorte, Marshall and St. Joseph counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
