HOPE – The only direct approach into downtown Hope from the west is at the top of a priority list for needed road repairs.
When the town applies for the Community Crossings matching grant (CCMG) this month, the paperwork is expected to list West Jackson Street as the top project.
That’s the conclusion of Hope Utility Superintendent David Clouse, town manager Jason Eckart and consulting engineer Tony Akles of Strand Associates, Inc., Eckart said.
The Indiana Department of Transportation issues Community Crossing grants for road and bridge repairs in two phases each year. During the first phase announced in April, Bartholomew County government and the city of Columbus each received $1.5 million – the maximum allowed on an annual basis. Due to their population, both the city and the county must match every grant dollar-for-dollar.
However, the town of Hope did not receive any first-phase funds, which allows the town of 2,100 residents to request between $1 million and $1.5 million. Due to their small population, the town of Hope will only have to match 25% of the grant with the city’s own revenue.
While there is a good possibility the grant will be awarded, Clouse says money from the second phase of CCMG grants often won’t be deposited into local coffers until winter. Cities, towns and counties will use January and February to seek, evaluate and award bids for projects that will begin in the spring.
Plans call for the work on West Jackson Street to stretch five blocks, from Main Street (State Road 9) west to the bridge spanning the Haw Creek River, Eckart said. The road on the other side of the bridge briefly becomes County Road 690N before it winds its way into becoming County Road 700N.
West Jackson, which has not been paved since 2012, has developed so-called alligator cracks from heavy machinery, the town manager said. There have also been several cuts made into the street for access to underground utilities, he said.
Last year, West Jackson Street received a five on the Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating (PASER) Study. While still listed in fair condition, it’s also one notch up from being considered in poor shape.
While Eckart says resurfacing and restriping of West Jackson is expected to take a big chuck of the grant, he’s also expressed optimism that up to $58,000 will be awarded for crack sealing and seal coating of other streets.
The town council is expected to vote on the exact amount of their grant request later this month.
