Johnson County and five communities received over $4.4 million in state grant funding to accelerate local road projects.
The county, Bargersville, Edinburgh, Greenwood, Prince’s Lakes and Whiteland were awarded the grants from the state Community Crossings Matching Grant Program.
The program, which is in its sixth year, provides matching grants statewide for local road and bridge preservation, road reconstruction, intersection improvements, guardrail replacements and signage, and can cover material costs for chip sealing and crack filling operations.
Communities around the state submitted applications for the grants over the summer. Applications were evaluated based on need and current conditions, along with effects on safety and economic development, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation. A total of 229 Indiana cities, towns and counties received $119.4 million combined in the state matching funds this round.
In order to qualify for funding, local governments have to provide local matching funds of 50% for larger communities, or 25% for smaller communities and have an asset management plan for maintaining existing roads and bridges.
Greenwood and Johnson County received the highest amount of money locally this round — $1 million. Greenwood officials plan to use the funding to complete paving projects in the Forest Park subdivision, partial reconstruction of Alexander Street, full reconstruction of Kensington Park Road, and a structural overlay of Averitt Road, according to a news release from the city.
Additional improvements will include the installation of under drains, new concrete curb and updated driveway approaches. Most projects will begin work in the spring, the release said.
“Infrastructure is a vital component for Greenwood’s continued growth and economic development, providing the often-under-appreciated foundation that connects us and keeps our city running,” said Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers in a statement.
The county officials plan to use the matching funding to complete concrete street overlay work that began this year using its last round of Community Crossings funding. Street work will be performed in the Pebble Hills, Fairview Heights, Hunter’s Pointe, Mark 2, Pebble Run, Southwind Estates, and Willow Lakes neighborhoods, said Luke Mastin, county highway director.
Not all of the streets in these neighborhoods will be included in this project, but the streets “in the worst condition” will be addressed, Mastin said. He added that eventually, these streets will need to be fully reconstructed, but the overlay work is intended to extend the life of the existing streets.
“We’re very appreciative of the award received, as it allows us to double the amount of work we could otherwise do and expedite these projects,” Mastin said.
Bargersville received $999,750 and will use the funding on several mill and overlay projects in different subdivisions. Projects will take place on County Road 300 North, Indiana Street, Cemetery Hill Road, Maple Court, Southway Court, Stagecoach Drive, Wagon Road, Three Notch Lane, Short Street, Old Trail Street, Oxbow Road, Utterback Drive, Industrial Boulevard, South Street, Village Road, Morris Boulevard, Booneway Lane, Burkhard Drive, Harriman Avenue and Woodway Lane, according to a project list provided by town officials.
Edinburgh received $595,846 to be used to mill and overlay 10 streets in town, including certain modifications for Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, compliance in connection with these projects, said Wade Watson, planning director and interim town manager.
These projects will include work on St. Andrews Avenue, Kilpatrick Court, Constitution Drive, Industrial Drive, Capitol Drive, Industrial Drive, Perry Street, East Main Cross Street, Center Cross Street, North Cross Street and South Cross Street, Watson said.
Whiteland officials were awarded $615,214, and plan to use the funds to repair three streets in the Spring Hill Subdivision. The streets include Briar Hill Drive from U.S. 31 to Greensprings Drive, Greensprings Drive from Pinedale to West Street, and Nightingale Drive from Briar Hill Drive to Clearwater Boulevard. Work will include mill and overlay, some curb and sidewalk replacements and installation of stormwater infrastructure.
Stormwater improvements are a crucial part of this project, said Carmen Young, planning director. Currently, the stormwater is collected through a curb and gutter system, which has deteriorated the curbs. There is no longer an efficient way for the stormwater to get to the drain inlets, leaving standing water on the roads, Young said.
“We’re excited to be able to utilize these grant dollars to not only improve the roads, but to improve our overall stormwater collection system in this area,” she said.
Prince’s Lakes received a grant of $276,792, but town officials did not respond to questions about the road projects by deadline.
The next call for communities to apply for Community Crossing grants will open in January 2023.
