Communities large and small across Indiana, including a dozen in Lake and Porter counties, will share $91.5 million in state funding to help improve their roads.
Gov. Eric Holcomb and the Indiana Department of Transportation announced the awards Thursday in the latest phase of the Community Crossings matching grant program.
Cities, towns and counties will use the money to match local funds for road improvement. They applied for funding in July.
Lake County will receive $1 million and Porter County $125,876.48 in Community Crossings funds for their road projects.
City and town recipients in Northwest Indiana include Beverly Shores, $41,430; Burns Harbor, $970,181.04; and Chesterton, $545,062.77.
Also, Crown Point, $1 million; Dune Acres, $67,423.50; Dyer, 879,407.50; and Hammond, $1 million.
Also, Merrillville, $1 million; Munster, $470,705.42; New Chicago, $584,475; Portage, $52,663,33; and Porter, $561,310.11.
The town of New Chicago announced that the funds will be used for the repair and resurfacing of 37th Avenue, and plans are to complete the project before the year ends.
“This paving project is only possible with the collaboration of the City of Lake Station and the City of Hobart,” town officials said in a statement. The work will be from Indiana Street east to 1,320 feet east of Wisconsin. The three communities came together Friday to repair potholes from Indiana Street westbound to Interstate 65. Discussions will continue for future phases to repair and resurface 37th Avenue.
Community Crossings has provided nearly $1.5 billion in state matching funds for local road projects since 2016. In 2017, the Indiana General Assembly identified long-term funding for the program as part of House Enrolled Act 1002, which included a gasoline tax increase.
“Community Crossings continues to provide opportunities for Indiana local communities, large and small, to make connectivity and safety road improvements for Hoosier families and our visitors,” Holcomb said in a news release.
Tim Zorn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
