The Indiana Department of Transportation announced today that 99 Southern Indiana cities, towns and counties will receive a combined $49 million to improve local roads and bridges through the State’s Community Crossings matching grant fund.

The City of Salem will receive $95,300 and Washington County will receive $1 million. (A full list of recipients is listed below)

Will Wingfield from the INDOT Office of Communications will be in Salem Thursday afternoon to present the checks.

INDOT Commissioner Brandye Hendrickson made the announcement at separate check presentations to Commissioners in Clark County and Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke.

“Both large and small communities in Southern Indiana demonstrated strong commitments to modernizing their roads and bridges and identified matching funds,” said INDOT Commissioner Brandye Hendrickson. “INDOT is pleased to award all of these funding requests within the program’s limit of $1 million per community.”

Clark County is receiving $1 million in matching funds to support bridge improvement projects countywide. The City of Evansville is receiving nearly $708,000 in matching funds to support street improvements to Riverside Drive between Mulberry Street and Boeke Road.

Scottsburg and Scott County are both receiving $1 million each.

“Modernizing infrastructure is a hallmark of a forward-thinking city,” said Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke.

“With Evansville already on track to resurface more than 60 miles of streets in the next three years, the infusion of funds from the State’s Community Crossings program will further broaden the impact of our investment in the City’s streets, sidewalks, and trails. I am especially pleased that the marching grant will be used to upgrade and improve an important travel route that extends from the downtown historic corridor, through residential and commercial neighborhoods and areas adjacent to schools, benefiting residents of all income levels.”

Statement from Clark County Commissioners:

“Providing quality infrastructure is one of most effective ways a community can support economic development and job growth. Across Clark County, we’re making smart investments in roads and bridges and the funding provided by the State through Community Crossings will allow us to complete more work that needs done.”

The local road and bridge matching grant fund was created by the Indiana General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Mike Pence in March 2016. The grant program provides approximately $160 million in funding this year available to all Indiana cities, towns and counties on a 50/50 matching basis.

Projects that are eligible for funding through Community Crossings include road resurfacing, bridge rehabilitation, road reconstruction, resurfacing, and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance in connection with road projects. Material costs for chip sealing and crack filling operations are also eligible for funds.

A complete list of Southern Indiana communities receiving funds through Community Crossings for the calendar year 2016 call for projects is online at http://www.in.gov/indot/3571.htm.

Tomorrow, INDOT officials will make stops in New Haven and LaPorte to feature projects receiving funding in those communities and announce all Northern Indiana communities that will receive matching funds.

Funds Awarded – 2016 Call For Projects

Southern Indiana

Communities listed in alphabetical order

Local law enforcement would like to remind high school and college students about – Indiana’s Lifeline Law.

The Lifeline law provides immunity for the crimes of public intoxication, minor possession, minor consumption and minor transport to persons who reveal themselves to law enforcement while seeking medical assistance for a person suffering from an alcohol-related health emergency.

This year, legislators extended the law to other medical emergencies, such as when someone falls or has a concussion.

It would also protect victims of a sexual assault or those who witness and report a crime from being charged with underage drinking.

In order to receive immunity, the person must demonstrate that they are acting in good faith by completing ALL of the following:

• Providing their full name and any other relevant information requested by law enforcement officer
• Remaining on the scene until law enforcement and emergency medical assistance arrives
• Cooperate with authorities on the scene

The law will not interfere with law enforcement procedures or limit the ability to prosecute for other criminal offenses such as providing to a minor, operating while intoxicated or possession of a controlled substance.

For more information please go to Indianalifeline.org