Indy Standard

Lake County communities are set to benefit from new state funding aimed at improving local infrastructure. The funding is part of Indiana's Community Crossings Matching Grant Program, which supports road reconstruction, bridge preservation, and intersection improvements among other projects. This initiative will distribute over $139 million in matching grants to 223 communities across the state.

"Safe bridges and roads help keep our communities thriving," stated State Representative Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron). "Through these grants, they can better maintain vital roadways and ensure safer travel for Hoosiers and visitors."

Local grant recipients include Cedar Lake receiving $791,789, Dyer with $524,578, Griffith obtaining $325,000, Hammond awarded $1.5 million, Hobart granted $1.4 million, Lake County receiving $1.5 million as well as Lake Station with $368,257. Additionally, Lowell will receive $541,120; Merrillville gets $1.5 million; Munster is allocated $660,442; Schererville receives a grant of $1 million; St. John will have access to another $1.5 million; and Whiting is awarded a total of $933,225.

"When our communities grow so do our needs for quality infrastructure," commented State Representative Julie Olthoff (R-Crown Point). "With the help of Community Crossings grants our cities town and counties can continue to improve their roads and bridges without straining their budgets."

The competitive grant requires smaller municipalities to provide a 25 percent match in local funds while larger communities must provide a 50 percent match. According to state law half of the available matching funds must be awarded annually to communities within counties having populations of 50 thousand or fewer residents. Since its inception in 2016 Community Crossings has distributed more than $1.8 billion towards enhancing local roads and bridges.

"Not all communities have the funds and resources to handle continual road and bridge maintenance especially as costs associated with these projects continue to go up," noted State Representative Hal Slager (R-Schererville). "Community Crossings grants give locals more budget flexibility to improve their infrastructure on a faster timeline."

For more information about the program visit in.gov/indot/communitycrossings.