By Kory Betts
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The Indiana Department of Transportation recently announced the recipients of the 2020 Next Level Roads: Community Crossings Matching Grant.

Several area counties and communities were on the list of grant recipients. InkFreeNews reached out to several for more information on projects in the respective areas.

Warsaw received $497,822 in grant funds. According to City of Warsaw Public Works and Street Department Superintendent Jeff Beeler, the funds will facilitate the reconstruction of Lincoln Drive and Johnson Street in Hodges Addition.

The two streets will receive new pavement, curbs, gutters, drainage pipes and sidewalks. “I am very excited to get the grant for this project,” said Beeler.

The project has been in the works for the past two years. Beeler said the city worked hard, “to get to this point to deliver a beautiful revitalization project.” The area has needed a facelift for some time, according to Beeler.

Winona Lake received $630,378.63 in grant funds for three projects. The first is the roundabout at CR 250E and Pierceton Road, according to Town Manager Craig Allebach. The second and third projects are the milling and resurfacing of Legacy Lane in addition to the south end of Park Avenue.

The projects in Winona Lake could begin as early sometime this year, according to Allebach.

Several also received funding in surrounding areas. 

Marshall County was awarded $1 million for its upcoming infrastructure project.

Marshall County Highway Superintendent Jason Peters said the funds will go toward a project on a 4.2-mile stretch of North Michigan Street in Plymouth. The funds will complete improvements on North Michigan Street. The county has used three different Community Crossing awards on North Michigan Street, including a section of road off of SR 110 going into Argos, Peters said.

“Over the last four years, with Community Crossings Matching grants, Marshall County has been able to complete numerous projects that have a major impact on our economic development along our high volume roads,” said Peters. Without the grant, Peters said the county “wouldn’t know where it would be.”

Also in Marshall County, Argos was awarded $567,343.12. Bourbon was awarded $201,480.56.

Fulton County received $999,990. Also in Fulton County, Akron was awarded $70,905.32.

Lastly, Whitley County was awarded $983,615.58. The town of South Whitley was awarded $433,500.