Eight units of local government in south central Indiana will receive nearly $5 million through a matching grant program to improve roads and bridges.
The city of Columbus is being awarded $250,571 during the second round of the 2023 Community Crossings program, administered by the Indiana Department of Transportation.
City Engineer Andrew Beckort says these funds are earmarked for four milling and overlay projects.
- All of Flintwood Circle, starting from Flintwood Drive
- All of Eastridge Drive, starting from Flintwood Drive
- Tipton Lakes Boulevard, from Goeller Road to 200-feet west of Acorn Drive
- Marr Road, from 25th Street to Brent Cross
Both Columbus and Bartholomew County governments are limited to $1 million annually. Since Bartholomew County government received the maximum funds available late last spring, they did not receive additional funds in the second round.
Counties and towns that are the size of Bartholomew County and Columbus or larger must match their grant on a 50-50 basis. However, counties with populations fewer than 50,000 and towns with populations fewer than 10,000 only have to match 25% of what they receive.
Other second round recipients in the region include:
Edinburgh – $1 million
Franklin – $258,121
Greenwood – $1 million
Johnson County – $1 million
Shelbyville – $343,259
Shelby County – $1 million
But since these awards are being announced in November with asphalt plants likely to close in a matter of weeks, the second round money will probably not be spent until warm weather returns in the spring.
“It is great to see our local leaders take advantage of this valuable grant program to improve the lives of residents and those traveling throughout Indiana,” State Senator Greg Walker, R-Columbus, said. “The maintenance of our state’s infrastructure is imperative, and I look forward to seeing the improvements this round of grants will make in our communities.”
With the exception of the two grants in Shelby County, all awards listed above are within Walker’s Senate District 41.
Established by the Indiana General Assembly in 2016, the Community Crossings matching grant program is intended to advance community infrastructure projects, strengthen local transportation networks and improve Indiana’s roads and bridges.
Throughout all 92 Indiana counties, there are 188 towns, cities and counties that are sharing $91.50 million dollars in this year’s second round. Over the last eight years, Community Crossings has awarded nearly $1.5 billion.
