Hendricks County lawmakers: State grants give green light for local road improvements

STATEHOUSE (Nov. 3, 2021) – Hendricks County communities will receive nearly $1.5 million in state matching grants to steer toward much-needed road improvement projects, according to local legislators. 

State Rep. Greg Steuerwald (R-Avon) said 218 towns, cities and counties throughout Indiana received a combined total of over $101 million through the Community Crossings Matching Grant program. Steuerwald co-authored legislation establishing the program in 2016 and its expansion in 2017. The Indiana Department of Transportation oversees and distributes these grants twice each year.

“With these grants, communities can make ongoing investments so that Hoosier roadways are safe and dependable for years to come,” Steuerwald said. “This money will certainly be put to good use as Indiana works to both preserve and improve its infrastructure.”  

According to State Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton), who supported the 2016 and 2017 laws, state matching grant recipients include Danville $271,424, Pittsboro $223,327 and Plainfield $1 million.

“The success of our economy depends on the quality of our infrastructure,” said Thompson, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee. “This grant program is a unique partnership between the state and local governments, which has really helped small and large communities tackle local road and bridge projects.”

State Rep. Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis), another supporter of the creation and expansion of the program, 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. 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. 

“As the Crossroads of America, Indiana relies on its local roadways to transport goods and services, and bring tourists and jobs to our state,” Behning said. “Key investments like this ensure our roads and bridges are taken care of and motorists can safely travel throughout the state.” 

More information about the program and recipients can be found online at in.gov/indot/communitycrossings.