Cities, towns and counties across Indiana have received nearly $140 million in state funding for road and infrastructure projects under the last round of Community Crossings grants.
Gov. Eric Holcomb is term limited and will be leaving the office in January. Gov.-elect Mike Braun will assume the mantle. Holcomb highlighted the success of the program in a recent press release.
“Community Crossings has been an annual highlight over the years,” he said. “The fact that nearly 14,000 miles of road and over 200 local bridges have been replaced or rehabilitated through this program since 2017 is astonishing, in addition to countless economic and quality of life benefits in hundreds of communities across Indiana.”
Community Crossings, part of Holcomb’s Next Level Roads program, has sent out more than $1.8 billion in matching grants since its start in 2016. It is overseen by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT).
“This program has impacted communities in all 92 Indiana counties, most more than once,” said Mike Smith, INDOT Commissioner, in a statement. “I want to recognize all of the local agencies who have participated over time for their hard work and dedication to improving their local transportation networks.”
Long-term funding for Community Crossings was enshrined in House Enrolled Act 1002 in 2017. The 223 communities receiving matching funds were approved for amounts ranging from just over $44,000 to the maximum of $1.5 million. Prior to this year, the maximum amount communities could receive was $1 million.
Applications for the next wave of awards will open in January.
Source: Yahoo news, Indianacapitalchronicle.com
