Photo credit: oldskulphoto/FlickrIndiana’s Community Crossings matching grant fund recently provided $47 million to 102 municipalities in Central Indiana.
The Community Crossings program is funded by legislation approved earlier this year that will provide more than $1.2 billion in funding for road and bridge preservation projects. Roughly $160 million is available through the program this year.
“Few states have invested more in infrastructure over the last decade than Indiana and these Community Crossings grants are another way we demonstrate why Indiana is the Crossroads of America,” says Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb. “Communities in Central Indiana are showing a strong commitment to modernizing infrastructure by pursuing these grants and we are looking forward to seeing the projects that these funds will help complete.”
A few of the awarded projects include:
- The Town of Avon is receiving $1 million in matching funds to support the construction of a bridge, roundabout and trail on Avon Avenue. “The Avon Avenue bridge, roundabout and trail project will eliminate delays by the trains which will save our residents time and money. The new trail and sidewalk over the bridge will make Avon a more bikeable and walkable community,” says Avon Town Manager Tom Klein.
- The City of Carmel is receiving $1 million in matching funds to support the construction of a roundabout and additional road improvements at 4th Street and Rangeline Road.
- The City of Fishers is receiving $1 million to modernize 116th Street between Eller Road and Interstate 69.
- Noblesville is being awarded nearly $498,000 dollars for multiple road projects.
- Westfield is using $1 million in matching funds toward reconstruction of Tomlinson Road between Blackburn Road and 203rd Street and other city street improvements.
The complete list of municipalities receiving grants, as well as more details about the Community Crossing program, is available here.
Basics of the Community Crossings program include:
- 50/50 match between INDOT and local government units
- Match funds must come from Local Option Income Tax, Wheel/Surtax, Rainy Day Fund.
- Must submit an INDOT-approved asset management plan
- Cities, towns and counties may submit multiple projects per call.
- Federal and state rules, such as permitting, historic preservation, Americans with Disabilities Act do apply.
- Scoring is based on local support, connectivity to existing plans, benefit, need and quality of projects, average annual daily traffic and average annual truck traffic and regional economic significance.
- Materials for chip sealing and crack sealing are eligible for funding.
- Contracts already procured for 2016 may be eligible for funding.
- Each local government unit is eligible for up to $1 million per year.
