CROTHERSVILLE
Crothersville’s first time applying for the Community Crossings matching grant program was a success.
As a result, 14 projects are scheduled for 2018 to improve streets around the town.
Town officials recently learned Crothersville has received $423,406.10 to put toward the project, which will include milling and paving some streets and in several cases adding Americans with Disabilities Act-approved ramps, storm pipes and inlets.
The town also is putting in $70,567.70 this year and in 2018 to bring the total to $564,541.50.
Brad Bender with FPBH Inc. in North Vernon said the plan is to put together plans and specifications in December, accept bids in January and be under contract by April 15. The contractor could then start work in April or May, which is a few months earlier than Crothersville typically does paving.
The projects are:
East Street from Moore Street to terminus, including Virginia Court
West Street from Moore Street to East Street
Bethany Road from Howard Street to town limits
Kovener Street from Main Street to Benham Avenue
Park Avenue from Main Street to Benham Avenue
Rider Avenue from Bethany Road to Kovener Street
Benham Avenue from Bethany Road to Kovener Street
Jackson Street from Main Street to Coleman Street
East Bard Street from Seymour Road to Preston Street
East Walnut Street from Seymour Road to Preston Street
Oak Street from Seymour Road to Preston Street
West Bard Street from terminus to Kovener Street
West Walnut Street from terminus to Kovener Street
Mill Street from Park Avenue to Kovener Street
This year, a record $150 million in state matching funds for local road projects was awarded to 396 Indiana cities, towns and counties as part of the Next Level Roads: Community Crossings Initiative.
A record 467 communities applied for funds, and that was a 48 percent increase from 2016, according to a news release from the Indiana Department of Transportation.
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, according to INDOT.
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 also must submit an INDOT-approved asset management plan for maintaining existing roads and bridges.
Through two years of the program, nearly $300 million has been awarded.
State law requires annually that 50 percent of the available matching funds be awarded to communities with a population of 50,000 or fewer, according to INDOT.
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. Eric Holcomb in April. INDOT estimates $190 million in matching funds will be available for local communities in calendar year 2018.