INDOT officials are reviewing nearly 1,600 applications for matching grant funding for local road and bridge improvement projects. They were submitted by 325 communities across the state. All are seeking their share of funds from the Community Crossings program set up this year by the Indiana General Assembly.
It provides money for repairs and upgrades like road resurfacing, bridge rehabilitation, road reconstruction and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance in connection with road projects. Funds can also be used to cover material costs for chip sealing and crack filling.
Starke County’s grant application seeks funds to replace three bridges – one on 900 East .9 miles south of State Road 10; on 625 South just west of 875 East; and on 1150 East .9 miles south of State Road 10. The county is also seeking funds to cold mix asphalt pave 10 miles of county roads and to chip seal 21 miles of county roads.
Right now INDOT’s regional offices are reviewing applications based on need, traffic volume, local support, the impact on connectivity and mobility within the community and regional economic significance. Communities receiving funds will be notified by the end of the month.
INDOT must allocate at least 50 percent of total funds to counties with populations of less than 50,000. The rest will be awarded to local units in counties with more than 50,000 residents. Each local unit will get a maximum of $1 million per year under the law.
INDOT expects to announce the next Community Crossings matching grant application opportunity in early 2017.
Visit www.in.gov/indot/communitycrossings for more information.
