House Advances Patterson's Bill to Improve Safety at Low Water Crossings

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana House of Representatives unanimously approved State Rep. Lindsay Patterson's (R-Brookville) legislation to permit local county road and bridge boards to undertake low water crossing projects and allow grants to be used for funding.

According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, low water crossings, also known as fords, are temporary bridges meant to be used for construction vehicles to pass through smaller streams. However, Patterson said passenger vehicles also utilize these crossings, which can be dangerous if water levels are high, quickly sweeping cars away. Patterson's House Bill 1507 would allow local county road and bridge boards to undertake low water crossing projects that could include installing appropriate warning signs and replacing damaged or undersized road crossings with bridges.

"I'm proud to see this legislation pass the House with unanimous support," Patterson said. "Making sure our local communities have the resources they need to improve low water crossings will help protect drivers and enhance infrastructure safety. I look forward to working with colleagues in the Senate to move this bill forward."

Patterson said the bill would also require the Indiana Department of Transportation to make information on potential funding from federal and private sources for low water crossing projects available to county officials. She also said the bill would expand eligibility for the Community Crossings Matching Grant program, which awards competitive grant dollars to local communities for infrastructure improvements, to include low water crossing projects. In 2024, Franklin County received more than $1 million in Community Crossings funding.

House Bill 1507 now moves to the Senate for consideration. To learn more and watch session and committee meetings, visit iga.in.gov.