Jefferson County lawmakers: State grants give green light for local road improvements

$2 million in state matching grants

STATEHOUSE (Nov. 4, 2021) – Local Jefferson County communities will receive nearly $2 million in state matching grants to steer toward much-needed road improvement projects, according to State Reps. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour) and Zach Payne (R-Charlestown).

Lucas said 218 towns, cities and counties throughout Indiana received a combined total of over $101 million through the Community Crossings Matching Grant program. Lucas supported legislation establishing the program in 2016 and its expansion in 2017. The Indiana Department of Transportation oversees and distributes these grants twice each year.

"Investing in our infrastructure not only improves our roads, but also adds to our quality of life," Lucas said. "The Community Crossings program helps even the most rural areas of the state move ahead with road projects, and there are communities throughout our area that will benefit from these additional funds."

Payne said state matching grant recipients include Jefferson County $1 million and Madison $947,694.

"Indiana remains in a strong place financially and can continue investing in local communities by funding needed road and bridge projects," Payne said. "These improvements help ensure our infrastructure is safe for Hoosiers, visitors and businesses across the state."

Payne said communities can use these funds for road and bridge preservation, road reconstruction, intersection improvements, guardrail replacements and signage. Smaller municipalities must provide a 25 percent match in local funds, while large communities must provide a 50 percent match. State law requires that 50 percent of the available matching funds be awarded annually to communities within counties with a population of 50,000 or fewer. 

More information about the program and recipients can be found online at in.gov/indot/communitycrossings.