INDOT awards $84 million in Community Crossings grants to 147 communities; Montgomery County outlines road plans

INDOT on Tuesday announced $84 million in Community Crossings matching grants to 147 communities across Indiana at a ceremony in Crawfordsville, Montgomery County officials said.

At the event, Montgomery County Commissioner Guard thanked INDOT for the award and described how the county plans to use the funding for local road work. "This funding helps Montgomery County make improvements to our 800 miles of roads," Commissioner Guard said, and credited county highway director Jake Low and the department’s 33 employees for delivering projects.

The announcement is part of INDOT’s Community Crossings program, which Commissioner Lindsey Quist said has provided more than $2 billion in state matching grants since 2016. "INDOT is proud to award $84 million in Community Crossings matching grants to 147 communities across the state of Indiana," Quist said, adding that $165 million has been awarded to local governments this state fiscal year and that there will be one call for applications in September.

Quist encouraged eligible local governments to apply for the next round. The program requires local matches, a feature Commissioner Guard and Governor Mike Brown described as intended to ensure local investment in projects: "skin in the game," Brown said.

Governor Mike Brown, who spoke after the INDOT announcement, framed the funding as part of a broader effort to run state government efficiently and expand support for all counties. "When you elected me governor, I ran on running our own state government more efficiently," he said, and pledged to seek increases above the current $165 million in future years. The governor also said that funds localities lost during a gas tax holiday "will be replenished 100%," though he said the mechanics must move through the budget system.

Local officials highlighted recent results from prior grant rounds. Commissioner Guard said Community Crossings matching grants since 2016 allowed Montgomery County to pave about 64.5 additional miles and preserve about 37.3 miles of roadway. Those figures, county leaders said, have effectively doubled the miles the county could have addressed without the program.

The ceremony concluded with instructions for the photo presentation: local representatives were called forward to receive checks and pose for photos with Governor Brown, Secretary Ubelor, and Commissioner Quist.

The awards are intended to support local road and bridge maintenance and improvements; INDOT and county officials urged communities to prepare for the September application call and to coordinate local matching funds.