Jefferson County lawmakers: State sends over $1.7M to accelerate local road improvements

Project bidding will begin in January

STATEHOUSE (Dec. 6, 2022) – Over $1.7 million is headed to Jefferson County communities to accelerate road and bridge improvements, according to local lawmakers.

State Rep. Randy Frye (R-Greensburg) 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.

"For many years, we have thoughtfully managed the state's finances, and that's created opportunities like the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program," Frye said. "With these funds, we are taking care of our immediate infrastructure needs and planning for growth without creating additional debt or passing the buck to future generations."

Jefferson County received $1 million and the city of Hanover received $794,674. In total, 229 towns, cities and counties will receive over $119 million in state matching grants.

State Rep. Zach Payne (R-Charlestown) 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.

"Communities large and small are benefiting from the state's long-term roads plan," Payne said. "By utilizing state matching grants, projects can move forward, and we can ensure our local roads and bridges are in good shape for the millions of Hoosiers who depend on them."

The list of all communities receiving matching funds in the 2022 summer call for projects is available online

"Indiana has a strong infrastructure network, and investments like these only make it better," said State Rep. Randy Lyness (R-West Harrison). "Local businesses and most Hoosiers need a reliable roads on a daily basis, and Community Crossing Matching Grants help local governments pay for often costly improvements."

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.