Upgrades are coming in 2025 to many roadways in Merrillville thanks to a Community Crossings Matching Grant.
The Town of Merrillville received a letter from Gov. Eric Holcomb and INDOT Commissioner Michael Smith announcing Merrillville will receive a $1.5 million grant for road projects. The projects will enhance the following streets:
- 63rd Ave. from Taft St. to the end of the road – pavement and concrete restoration
- 101st Ave. from approximately 2,000 feet east of Mississippi St. to Colorado St. – pavement restoration
- Harms Rd. from East 88th Dr. to Colorado St. – pavement restoration
- West 70th Place from Madison St. to approximately 150 feet east of Harrison St. – pavement and concrete restoration
- Buchanan St. from 73rd Ave. to Pierce St. – pavement and concrete restoration
- Pierce St. from West 72nd Ave. to West 72nd Lane – pavement and concrete restoration
Rick Bella, town council president, said the road repairs would not have been possible without the financial assistance from the Community Crossing Grant program.
“The matching grant allows us to double our taxpayer’s funding, allowing us to repair and resurface many roads in need of work,” Bella said in a press release. “Our general budget would never allow for this type of major repairs.”
Work will begin in the spring of 2025.
“The big one is the 63rd Ave. work,” Steve King, Merrillville street department director/engineering administrator, said. “There’s a lot of concrete work out there, and it’s very long. That one alone is $1 million.”
Community Crossings grants cover up to 50% of the construction costs or the purchase of materials for approved projects. Merrillville will use wheel tax proceeds to fund its portion of the initiative.
“We are thrilled to have the support of the state’s Community Crossings program as we work to build a brighter future in Merrillville,” Michael Griffin, town manager, said. “These funds are expected to enhance our residents’ daily commute, improve accessibility for businesses and make Merrillville a safer and more attractive place for all.”
Merrillville has regularly received Community Crossings grants since the program’s inception in 2016. A recent change increased the maximum award amount from $1 million to $1.5 million.
The grant award letter highlights the importance of investing in infrastructure work in the Hoosier State.
“Improvement to local roads and bridges will bring about economic development, create jobs and strengthen local transportation networks for all of Indiana,” the letter stated.
