Last Updated on October 10, 2019 by cassnetwork
Madison, Ind. – Governor Eric J. Holcomb and Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner Joe McGuinness today announced 229 Indiana cities, towns, and counties received a combined $99.2 million in state matching funds for local road projects through the Next Level Roads: Community Crossings Initiative.
“High-quality local roads and bridges are an important part of our formula for attracting jobs, growing our economy, and building strong communities,” Gov. Holcomb said. “Our fully-funded Next Level Roads plan and record-breaking level of construction has gained Indiana national recognition for our approach to infrastructure, and Community Crossings takes that commitment to the local level all across the state.”
The Community Crossings Initiative has provided more than $612 million in state matching funds for construction projects. The latest round garnered more applications than dollars available—making the call for projects highly competitive. In response to local requests to help manage project flow, INDOT now accepts applications in both January and July, with a $1 million cap annually per community. An estimated $100 million will be available for communities opting to apply during the January 2020 call for projects.
“Efficiently and safely moving people and commerce is vital to the quality of life and vitality of our communities,” said McGuinness. “INDOT is excited to partner with communities through this matching grant program to make infrastructure investments that contribute to the success of all Hoosier cities, towns, and counties.”
To qualify for funding, local governments must provide local matching funds, 50 percent for larger communities or 25 percent for smaller communities, from a funding source approved for road and bridge construction. They must also submit an INDOT-approved asset management plan for maintaining existing roads and bridges. 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. State lawmakers identified long-term funding for Community Crossings as part of House Enrolled Act 1002, passed by the legislature and signed into law by Gov. Holcomb in April 2017.
The list of all communities receiving matching funds in the 2019 July call for projects is online at www.in.gov/indot/communitycrossings.
Communities in Senate District 18 will receive more than $1 million to improve roads and bridges through the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program (CCMG), said State Sen. Stacey Donato (R-Logansport).
The CCMG was established by the Indiana General Assembly in 2016, and aims to advance community infrastructure projects, strengthen local transportation networks and improve Indiana’s roads and bridges. Since it was put into place, the program has awarded nearly $500 million in state matching funds for local construction projects.
In Senate District 18, the following municipalities received grants:
· Culver received $749,000.62;
· Logansport received $177,343.65; and
· Walton received $137,907.24.
“I am thrilled to see communities across Indiana taking advantage of this financial resource,” Donato said. “I look forward to the positive effects these projects will have on our community as we continue to improve our local infrastructure.”
Through the program, the Indiana Department of Transportation matches up to $1 million when localities invest in road and bridge repairs. Counties with populations fewer than 50,000 and cities and towns with populations fewer than 10,000 receive a 75%/25% match, while counties with populations of at least 50,000 and cities and towns with populations of least 10,000 receive a 50%/50% match.
“Since its inception in 2016, many city employees along with the city council have worked tirelessly to improve our city streets and intersections through the Community Crossings program,” Mayor Dave Kitchell said today. “We’re fortunate to be able to leverage more state funding for needed repairs, repaving and replacement that in some cases are overdue on Linden Avenue and Helm Street.”
Kitchell says the funding will address some streets that have been impacted by heavier than normal traffic during the Market Street Bridge project which began last summer and is projected to be completed in December.
SOURCES: News releases from the Offices of Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb, State Senator Stacey Donato and Logansport Mayor Dave Kitchell