A truck drives on Nineveh Street on Wednesday in Franklin. Nineveh Street is one of many that is going to be repaired with the $1 million Community Crossings matching grant Franklin received.
Leeann Doerflein | Daily Journal
Two Johnson County communities received grant funds to boost road work this summer.
Franklin and New Whiteland are among the 224 Indiana cities, towns and counties that will receive a combined $133.4 million in state matching funds for local road projects through Community Crossings Matching Grant program, a component of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s Next Level Roads agenda, Indiana Department of Transportation announced last week.
The matching grant program awarded Franklin $1 million and New Whiteland $706,500 for road work. The city and town will pair that money with local tax dollars to make repairs to some of the worst streets within their borders.
INDOT matches up to $1 million annually for localities to invest in road and bridge repairs. Based on their population, Franklin will put up a 50% match for the grant, while New Whiteland will put up a 25% match.
In Franklin, sections of 22 streets will have mill and overlay work done, with new concrete curbs and installation of ADA-compliant curb ramps for portions of the project that don’t already comply. Bids are expected to be awarded in mid-May for an anticipated construction period of June to September, said Mark Richards, Franklin city engineer.
In New Whiteland, complete reconstruction is planned for Brookside Drive and a section of Mooreland Drive, said Duane McCauslin, the town’s public works superintendent. The work would be completed later this year.
Communities submitted applications during a highly competitive process that began in January. Applications were evaluated based on need and current conditions, as well as safety and economic development, according to INDOT.
The program was established by the Indiana General Assembly in 2016 and it aims to advance community infrastructure projects, strengthen local transportation networks and improve roads and bridges. Since the program began, INDOT has awarded more than $1.27 billion in matching funds for local construction projects.
“Safe, modern infrastructure at the local level makes Indiana’s transportation network stronger,” INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith said in a statement on the grants. “Partnering with locals on these projects is something INDOT looks forward to each year. The hard work and dedication of local entities to secure these funds and make improvements in their communities does not go unnoticed.”
State Sen. Greg Walker, R-Columbus, said he was pleased to see $3.6 million awarded to communities in his district. In addition to Franklin and New Whiteland, Columbus and Bartholomew County also received funds this round.
“(This) gives local leaders an opportunity to advance community infrastructure and, in turn, improve the lives of Hoosiers,” Walker said in a statement on the grant. “I commend those who applied for these grants and look forward to seeing the positive impact this funding will have on our area.”
The program offers two rounds of applications each year, with the next call for applications set for July.
Community Crossings Road projects
Franklin
- Branigin Road from 340 feet West of Woodfield Boulevard to city limits
- Greensburg Road from Park Avenue to city limits
- Mallory Parkway from U.S. 31 to west end cul-de-sac
- Jackson Street from Herriott Street to King Street
- Turning Leaf Drive from 100 feet North of Fiesta Drive to Oakleaf Road
- Nineveh Road from South Street to U.S. 31
- Wilson Way from South State Street to cul-de-sac
- Pebble Beach Drive from Jason Avenue to cul-de-sac
- Hurricane Street from Arvin Road to Hamilton Avenue
- Emma Street from Banta Street to King Street
- Hurricane Street from Howe Street to Ohio Street
- Jefferson Street from Milford Drive to Decourcy Lane
- Jackson Street from Monroe Street to Wayne Street
- Country Meadow Court from Meadow Glen Boulevard to cul-de-sac
- Elmwood Drive from Canary Creek Drive to Waterway Drive
- Orion Drive from Windstar Boulevard to Lake Shore Drive
- Duane Street from Oyler Street to Ohio Street
- Depot Street from Madison Street and King Street
- Jefferson Street from Morning Drive to Dawn Drive
- Duane Street from Province Street to Hamilton Avenue
- Duane Street from Kentucky Street to Adams Street
- Cumberland Drive from Dakota Drive to Charles Drive
- Uitz Street from Madison Street to Jefferson Street
- Overlook Circle from Wilson Way to cul-de-sac
- Waters Lane from County Road 100 North to 300 feet North of County Road 100 North
- Ridge Street from Jackson Street to South Main Street
- Turning Leaf Drive from Spring Meadow Court to 165 feet North of Cobra Drive
New Whiteland
- Brookside Drive
- Section of Mooreland Drive
Source: Franklin, New Whiteland public works
