Governor Eric J. Holcomb and the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) gathered on Wednesday at the Clay County Courthouse with cities, towns and counties from across west central Indiana receiving portions of the $207 million awarded through the Community Crossings matching grant program, a component of Governor Holcomb’s Next Level Roads program.

Jackson County can roll forward with road and bridge projects thanks to the grant program.

“Communities both rural and urban can use these matching grants to make essential upgrades to their infrastructure,” said State Rep. Dave Hall (R-Norman). “Keeping our roads and bridges up to date makes Indiana safer and more economically viable.”

Area grant recipients include Crothersville ($222,079), Jackson County (more than $1.4 million) and Seymour ($1.5 million).

Routes planned to be re-constructed in Seymour include Sprenger Rd. from Holiday Drive to Marley Lane, and Bateman Dr. from Burkhart Blvd. to E 4th St.

Routes planned to be repaved include the following: Brown St. from Chestnut St. to Vine St.; Laurel St. from the railroad tracks to Vine St.; Vehslage Rd. from 2nd St. to State Road 258; Pine St. from Jackson St. to Oak St.; Vine St. from 14th St. to 15th St.; Poplar St. from Terminus to S Park; 14th St. from 150 feet west of Vine St. to Arvin St.; 16th St. from Shields Ave. to State Road 11; and Shields Ave. from 9th St. to 16th St.

The following routes throughout the county are planned to be repaved as well: 400 W from U.S. 50 to 100 S ; 410 W from 100 S to 375 W; 375 W from 410 W to Water St.; Water St. from 375 W to Poplar St.; N 860 E from 40 N to S 860 E; S 860 E from N 860 E to 50 S; 540 N from 390 W to State Road 135; 500 E from 125 N to 200 N; 200 N from State Road 135 to 500 W; 60 W from 925 N to 900 N; 925 N from 60 W to 100 W; 900 N from U.S. 31 to 1200 E; 100 E from State Road 258 to 600 N; 200 N from 500 E to 600 E; 200 N from 900 E to 1000 E; 550 N from 400 E to city limits; 675 N from 450 W to 350 W; 350 W from 675 N to 650 N; 1250 W from State Road 58 to 650 N; 650 N from 1250 W to the county line; 375 W from State Road 58 to 875 N; 875 N from 375 W to 400 W; 400 W from 875 N to 900 N; and 1250 W from the base road to gravel.

“Businesses both small and large need and rely on Indiana’s roads, because they’re what keep our economy moving,” said State Rep. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour). “We know that the cost of everything, including road maintenance, continues to go up, so these state dollars are really coming at a critical time. I look forward to seeing more improvements in our area.”

“It’s great to see communities of all sizes work with the state to stretch their dollars and complete projects,” said State Rep. Chris May (R-Bedford). “I encourage other local communities with infrastructure projects to apply for the next round of matching grants.”

“Year after year Indiana’s local Community Crossings program enables hundreds of critically important infrastructure improvements to happen,” said Gov. Holcomb. “I cannot overstate the transformative significance of this program and the positive impacts it has throughout our cities, towns and counties across the Hoosier State known as the Crossroads of America.”

Communities submitted applications for funding during a highly competitive call for projects in January. Funding for Community Crossings comes from the state’s local road and bridge matching grant fund. The Community Crossings initiative has provided nearly $1.7 billion in state matching funds for local road improvement projects since 2016.

“Partnership with our local communities is vital to enhancing our state’s transportation network,” said Commissioner Michael Smith. “Community Crossings is just one of many ways INDOT is working with local agencies to improve safety, mobility and connectivity in the places they call home.”

State legislators identified long-term funding for Community Crossings as part of House Enrolled Act 1002, passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Holcomb in April 2017.

To qualify for the competitive grant, smaller municipalities provide a 25% match in local funds, while larger communities provide a 50% match. State law requires 50% of the available matching funds be awarded annually to communities within counties with a population of 50,000 or fewer. Since 2016, Community Crossings has awarded more than $1.6 billion to improve local roads and bridges.

“It is great to see so many communities taking advantage of this opportunity to improve their local infrastructure,” said State Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford). “These improvements are sure to not only strengthen Indiana’s growing economy, but also better connect us with our neighbors.”

A list of all 252 communities receiving matching funds in the 2024 spring call for projects is available at in.gov/indot/doing-business-with-indot/files/2024-1-CCMG-Awardee-List_pdf-web.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.

The next call for projects will open in July. Learn more about the Community Crossings matching grant program on the INDOT website.