Wayne County and two towns successfully applied for nearly $1 million in matching taxpayer funds for road and bridge improvements through Indiana’s Community Crossings program.
State officials announced the 191 cities, towns and counties that each received a share of the $100 million on Tuesday, Dec. 9, through Indiana Department of Transportation.
Winners included Wayne County, which receives $663,869.25; Cambridge City ($145,688) and Centerville ($132,363.20).
Wayne County applied for a total of $707,000 for the Gravel Pit Road bridge and paving projects. The bridge’s deck is rated in poor condition, necessitating a $1.3 million project. However, Community Crossings did not fund a match for applying a 2-inch asphalt overlay to the roadway extending from the city limits to Indiana 121, which will cost $80,000.
Centerville Town Manager Kevin Slick said improvements are planned for Locust Lane from Elm Drive to Mulberry Boulevard, as well as North Centerville Road from the northern town limits to INDOT’s right of way.
Cambridge City will improve Hill Drive (Shawnee to Delaware), Shawnee Avenue (Mulberry Street to Hawkins Avenue), South Plum Street (U.S. 40 to railroad overpass), West Maple Street (Mulberry to Walnut), Simmons Street (Delaware to Shawnee), East Church Street (Glenwood to Indiana 1) and South Fourth Street (Foote to Green).
Nearby recipients included Connersville ($350,005.35); Lynn ($109,520); Randolph County ($681,579.29); Union City ($249,853.60); Union County ($1 million); and Brookville ($281,656.80).
Richmond officials announced plans in the fall to apply for funding, but the city didn’t receive any of its match request submitted in October. Those monies would have improved portions of Richmond Avenue, Peacock Road, Indiana Avenue, North 15th, South 14th, South 18th, South 20th, South 21st, Cedar Cliff Road, Stonecreek Road, Quail Hill Drive and Hodgin Road.
Community Crossings funds come from Indiana’s local road and bridge matching grants, funded by taxpayer dollars.
The program has provided more than $2 billion for local road improvement projects since it began in 2016.
Projects can include chip and crack sealing, paving, and bridge rehabilitation/replacement.
During the 2025 legislative session, the Indiana General Assembly revised the Community Crossings program. Annual funding is now capped at $100 million (previously $300 million), with a $1 million limit per local government (previously $1.5 million). Smaller communities pay a reduced local match—20% for towns under 10,000 residents; larger cities and counties provide 50%. Starting in fiscal year 2027, there will be a single July call for projects instead of two cycles. INDOT shortened the contractor award period from four to three months, requiring projects to be shovel-ready.
A version of this article appeared in the December 17 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.