Roachdale, Fillmore receive Community Crossings funds

A pair of local towns are among the 229 Indiana cities, towns and counties receiving a combined $99.2 million in state matching funds for local road projects through the Next Level Roads: Community Crossings Initiative.

The state will invest a combined $300,000 in local roads as a result of successful applications by Roachdale and Fillmore.

Roachdale in northern Putnam County has been awarded $210,435, while Fillmore in eastern Putnam County will receive $90,373.12.

In Roachdale, the award will go toward resurfacing on several streets, including Westview Drive, South Street, Maple Street, Maxine Lane, Lonoke Street and Columbia Street.

Based on the Community Crossings 75-25 funding split for small communities, the total cost of Roachdale’s project is $280,580.

In Fillmore, the smaller project is more straightforward in scope — milling and resurfacing of Hendricks Street from the dead end to Main Street.

The total estimated cost of the Fillmore project is $120,497.50.

The statewide announcement of the projects came last week from Gov. Eric Holcomb and Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner Joe McGuinness.

“High-quality local roads and bridges are an important part of our formula for attracting jobs, growing our economy and building strong communities,” Holcomb said. “Our fully-funded Next Level Roads plan and record-breaking level of construction has gained Indiana national recognition for our approach to infrastructure, and Community Crossings takes that commitment to the local level all across the state.”

The Community Crossings Initiative has provided more than $612 million in state matching funds for construction projects. The latest round garnered more applications than dollars available — making the call for projects highly competitive.

In response to local requests to help manage project flow, INDOT now accepts applications in both January and July, with a $1 million cap annually per community.

An estimated $100 million will be available for communities opting to apply during the January 2020 call for projects.

“Efficiently and safely moving people and commerce is vital to the quality of life and vitality of our communities,” McGuinness said. “INDOT is excited to partner with communities through this matching grant program to make infrastructure investments that contribute to the success of all Hoosier cities, towns and counties.”

To qualify for funding, local governments must provide local matching funds, 50 percent for larger communities or 25 percent for smaller communities, from a funding source approved for road and bridge construction. They must also submit an INDOT-approved asset management plan for maintaining existing roads and bridges. State law requires annually that 50 percent of the available matching funds be awarded to communities within counties with a population of 50,000 or fewer.

State lawmakers identified long-term funding for Community Crossings as part of House Enrolled Act 1002, passed by the legislature and signed into law by Gov. Holcomb in April 2017.

The list of all communities receiving matching funds in the 2019 July call for projects is online at www.in.gov/indot/communitycrossings.