STATEHOUSE (April 30, 2021) – Indiana recently awarded more than $1.6 million in state matching grants to local communities for road and bridge improvements, according to local lawmakers.
"The Community Crossing Matching Grant program is just one example of how Indiana continues investing in our infrastructure," said State Rep. Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown). "Through this program, local communities can complete and prioritize much-needed road improvements projects, while also focusing on promoting economic development and growing our community."
Through the Community Crossings Matching Grant program, 218 Hoosier cities, towns and counties received a combined total of over $100 million. This program was established in 2016 and expanded a year later in 2017 through laws Engleman and State Rep. Steve Davisson (R-Salem) supported. The Indiana Department of Transportation oversees and distributes these grants twice each year.
"Indiana remains in a strong place financially and can afford to help local communities make strategic investments in road and bridge projects," Davisson said. "These improvements will help ensure our infrastructure is safe for Hoosiers, visitors and businesses."
Harrison County received $1 million, and Crawford County received $160,717 for local road and bridge projects. In addition, the following communities received a grant:
State Rep. Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty) 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.
"This funding helps communities finish projects ahead of schedule, make necessary road repairs and improve local infrastructure," Bartels said. "The cost of road maintenance alone is incredibly high. Without these grants, towns and cities could decide to postpone projects or struggle to front the money to complete them."
More than $931 million in total has been awarded throughout the state since 2016. 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.
More information about the program and recipients can be found online at in.gov/indot/communitycrossings. The next call for projects through Community Crossings will open in July 2021.
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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.
State Rep. Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown) represents House District 70,
which includes most of Harrison County, along with portions of Clark and Floyd counties.
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