STATEHOUSE (Dec. 6, 2022) – Over $986,000 is headed to Washington County communities to accelerate road and bridge improvements, according to local lawmakers.
State Rep. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour) 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.
"Many of us rely on our state's transportation infrastructure, and count on it to be safe and functioning," Lucas said. "From transporting goods to getting to the office and school, local roads play a vital role in our daily lives, and these grants help our local communities maintain and improve them."
Washington County grant recipients include New Pekin ($186,785) and Salem ($799,944).
State Rep. Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown) 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 supported by Lucas and Engleman.
"Partnerships between state and local officials help our programs reach more people, and these matching grants are a great example," Engleman said. "By working with cities, towns and communities, Indiana is able to help improve the quality of life for Hoosiers."
"Indiana's relationship with local governments on these projects has helped make our state the envy of the nation when it comes to infrastructure," said State Rep. Chris May (R-Bedford). "This program shows the benefits of working together, and the results are seen in the improvements being made to our roads and bridges."
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. Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown) represents House District 70,
which includes all of Harrison County, and portions of Clark, Floyd and Washington counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour) represents House District 69,
which includes portions of Bartholomew, Jackson, Scott and Washington counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Chris May (R-Bedford) represents House District 65,
which includes all of Lawrence County, and portions of Jackson, Orange and Washington counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
