By Keith Roysdon—
DELAWARE COUNTY, IN– Some of the most-needed road paving jobs in Delaware County are on tap for 2024.
The roads will be repaved thanks to a $1.5 million Community Crossings grant from the state of Indiana.
“We were awarded everything we asked for. This really will help stretch our local paving dollars,” said Angela Moyer, project director of Delaware County’s Engineering Department. “We’re very appreciative.”
In addition to roads paved with grant funding, Delaware County also has plans to pave an additional 60 lane miles and chip/seal 130 lane miles of road. In the past eight years Delaware County has paved or chip/sealed more than 921 lane miles in unincorporated portions of the county.
Gov. Eric Holcomb and the Indiana Department of Transportation announced on April 10 the awarding of $207 million in matching funds to Indiana cities, towns and counties. More than 250 communities will receive the funding.
Delaware County’s $1.5 million in Community Crossings funding will be used this year, Moyer said.
Projects include:
Wheeling Avenue between Airway Road and just south of Indiana 28.
Cowan Road between 400-South and 600-South.
Cowan Road from near Indiana 67 to 400-South.
Hoyt Avenue from Fuson Road to the Muncie city limits.
County Road 850-North between the Gaston town limits and Wheeling Avenue.
County Road 700-S from the Madison County line to 950-West.
County Road 875-West from Corner Road to the Henry County line.
In addition, as part of the local request for funding, the town of Yorktown will receive funding for full depth patching, milling and asphalt overlay just south of Indiana 32 to the south town boundary line and County Road 600-West just south of Indiana 332 to Jackson Street. “Yorktown is excited to be awarded $349,000. This funding highlights our dedication to enhancing infrastructure and ensuring safer travel,” said Chase Bruton, Yorktown town manager.
Commissioner President James King said, “I’d like to thank Angela Moyer for spearheading our efforts as well as the County Highway Department and the ECI Regional Planning District for their collaboration in securing this grant. Ensuring that county roads are properly maintained and that our county is securing outside funding for paving is a win-win for our residents. I look forward to seeing through the completion of this paving and much more in the 2024 paving season.”
Delaware County Commissioners are responsible for paving roads in unincorporated Delaware County. This includes areas outside the jurisdictions of Muncie and the six towns within the county.
County Commissioner Sherry Riggin commented, “Getting roads paved is critically important for any elected official. I’m delighted to know our team is taking advantage of funding from other sources to do this work. Congrats to all communities that were awarded funding.”
Delaware County funds road repairs through Motor Vehicle Highway and Local Roads and Streets funding as well as revenue from a local wheel tax. Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds have also been used, Moyer said.
CCMG funds are mostly gateways, major thoroughfares, and connectors to Muncie, Gaston, state roads, Madison & Henry County. Roads are selected based on pavement ratings, road classifications and traffic counts. Road projects may include pavement markings, shoulder stone, berming, ditching, and replacing culverts.
