Frye: State awards over $3 million to boost local road projects

The City of Madison received $ 721,817 for local road projects.

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(Indianapolis, Ind.) – Recently many local communities received more than $3 million in state matching grants to bolster road and bridge improvements, according to State Rep. Randy Frye (R-Greensburg).

Over 200 Indiana cities, towns and counties received a combined total of $126.5 million through the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program. These grants were made available through the Indiana Department of Transportation as a result of a law Frye supported in 2017.

“This funding is a boost for our local communities and their budgets," Frye said. "These grants allow for many projects to be completed more quickly. Some of our roads and bridge improvements wouldn't happen at all without Community Crossings dollars from the state."

The City of Madison received $ 721,817 for local road projects. In addition, several communities received matching grants:

• Ohio County $760,250;
• Ripley County $955,548;
• Dillsboro $232,964;
• Patriot $143,155;
• Rising Sun $227,122; and
• Versailles $12,600.

“Grant funding can be used toward road and bridge preservation, road reconstruction, intersection improvements, guardrail replacements, and signage. Smaller municipalities must provide a match of 25% in local funds, while large communities must provide a 50% match,” said Frye.

In total, more than $738 million has been distributed for local road projects through the Community Crossings program. State law requires annually that 50 percent of the available matching funds be awarded to communities within counties with a population of over 50,000 or fewer.

An estimated $100 million will be available for communities opting to apply for these grants during the July 2020 call for projects. More information about the program and recipients can be found at www.in.gov/indot.