Bainbridge Town Council eyes Community Crossings grant

BAINBRIDGE — The Town of Bainbridge is prepared to fix more roads through Community Crossings money in 2022, but first must complete last year’s projects.

The grant was one of the main topics of discussion when the Bainbridge Town Council convened Thursday for its first meeting of the year.

Putnam County and its cities and towns have received millions of dollars through the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) program that helps local government across the state pay for projects such as road resurfacing, storm drainage and sidewalk projects.

Last year, Bainbridge received approximately $315,000 in grant money with the requirement that the project be completed within 18 months in order to apply for another round of Community Crossings funding.

That work is scheduled to be completed by the end of April of this year.

Council President Jeff Kiger said the town isn’t sure how much funding it will be applying for until last year’s project is complete, but the council and utility board already know which roads are to be resurfaced as soon as they can apply for more funding.

One area of interest in the next round of Community Crossings is South Washington Street/North County Road 200 East across from the park.

“This area hasn’t had any work done in the last 5-8 years,” Kiger said.

The proposed project will include fixing the concrete for sidewalks, resurfacing the asphalt and adding crosswalks near the school.

The other portion of town slotted for roadwork is the Northfield addition, but this will require a little more planning, as it is 20 years old.

Bainbridge will have to have engineers assess where funding will be best allocated.