State Rep. Lyness Encourages Local Communities To Apply For Road Funding Grants

Friday, October 16, 2020 at 9:34 AM

By State Rep. Randy Lyness (R-West Harrison), press release

The Community Crossings Matching Grant Program is back and the new application deadline is approaching.

Shutterstock photo.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - State Rep. Randy Lyness (R-West Harrison) encourages local communities to apply for the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program to help fund road and bridge projects.

Lyness, who supported the 2016 state law creating Indiana's long-term road funding plan, said Community Crossings Matching Grants help cities, towns and counties fund local infrastructure projects through preservation, road construction, intersection improvements, guardrail replacements and signage.

"Having reliable infrastructure is important, but the cost to maintain it can be overwhelming for local governments," Lyness said. "With this program, even our most rural communities can benefit and move ahead with needed road and bridge projects."

According to Lyness, Hoosier communities are eligible for a state match up to $1 million annually and the Indiana Department of Transportation opens applications twice a year. Due to COVID-19, this year’s second round of calls for projects was postponed in July, but Gov. Eric Holcomb recently announced that the matching grant program will resume and the new application deadline is Oct. 23.

Counties with fewer than 50,000 residents and cities and towns with less than 10,000 residents contribute 25% of the matching funds, with larger communities contributing 50%. To be eligible, all local units of government must have an approved Asset Management Plan and provide a funding match.

Since the program's inception, $739 million has been awarded to support Hoosier communities and infrastructure projects around the state. Local governments can apply for the program online at in.gov/indot/4013.htm, with forms due by 5 p.m. EST on Oct. 23.