Area lawmakers: State sends over $2M to accelerate local road improvements

STATEHOUSE (Dec. 7, 2022) – More than $2 million is headed to Hendricks County communities to accelerate road and bridge improvements, according tolocal legislators.

State Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton) 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.

“With Community Crossings Grants, Hoosier communities large and small can continue investing in their immediate infrastructure needs and plan for future growth,” Thompson said. “This local funding will be put to good use as we ensure roads and bridges are safe and functioning for years to come.”

Area grant recipients include:

  • Hendricks County, $322,005;
  • Lizton, $276,944;
  • Pittsboro, $506,624; and
  • Plainfield, $975,171.

State Rep. Greg Steuerwald (R-Avon) 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 Thompson and Steuerwald.

“Our state’s economy depends on safe and reliable infrastructure,” Steuerwald said. “Hendricks County is a hub of economic activity, and these continued investments in our roads help our communities keep up with increased demands and maintain our growth.”

“We depend on roads and bridges to get us to and from work, doctor’s appointments and to get our children to school,” said State Rep. Becky Cash (R-Zionsville). “These projects will have long-term benefits for everyone in our community and across the state.”

“Providing state matching grants helps our local communities accelerate essential road and bridge improvements,” said State Rep. Craig Haggard (R-Mooresville). “Just as the cost of everyday goods has increased so has the cost of construction. Having the state pump dollars into these projects is a win for already tight local budgets and Hoosier drivers.”

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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