Governor Holcomb and Indiana Department of Transportation award
record $150 million through Next
Level Roads: Community Crossings Initiative
Jasper, Ind.
– Governor Eric J. Holcomb and INDOT Commissioner Joe McGuinness
today announced 396 Indiana cities, towns and counties received a combined
$150 million in state-matching funds for local road projects through the Next Level Roads: Community
Crossings Initiative.
The full list of
communities receiving matching funds was released this afternoon following the
first in a series of presentations being held around the state with
local, state and business officials to highlight award-winning grant
applications.
“Superior local roads are
a key factor in maintaining Indiana’s reputation as the Crossroads of
America,” Gov. Holcomb said. “I am encouraged that a record number of
communities applied for and received funds this year, and I’m
grateful to lawmakers for increasing the funding to sustain the community
crossings initiative.”
In just its second year,
the Community Crossings Initiative has
awarded nearly $300 million in state matching funds to local governments for
road construction projects. This year, 467 communities applied for funds – a 48
percent increase from 2016 – making this year truly competitive.
“Across Indiana, local
communities are recognizing the need to invest in fixing and improving
their infrastructure,” said INDOT Commissioner Joe
McGuinness. “The projects funded today will help build smoother roads
and stronger bridges in every corner of the state.”
Community Crossings was created
by the Indiana General Assembly in 2016. Funds for the program are awarded from the state’s local road and bridge matching grant fund. 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 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. INDOT
estimates $190 million in matching funds will be available for local
communities in calendar year 2018.
The list of all communities
receiving matching funds in 2017 is online at in.gov/indot/communitycrossings. Photos
from today’s events are\ available:www.facebook.com/indianadepartmentoftransportation. Follow on Twitter @INDOT #NextLevelRoads
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