Update on Local Funding for Road and Bridge Projects
We’ve received several phone calls since the end of the state legislative session requesting information about the new local road and bridge funding authorized through passage of HEA 1001 and SEA 67. INDOT has scheduled several meetings around the state from May 23 to May 31 to provide more information about the local matching fund grant program and the required asset management plans. See the links below for the INDOT meeting schedule and other information that you may find useful.
- INDOT Local Road and Bridge Funding Meetings May 23-31, 2016
- INDOT Local Public Agency Programs website, containing links to Local Road and Bridge Funding Summary memo and Road Funding Presentation
- Purdue LTAP special newsletter describing grant process and transportation asset management plans.
- Table showing distribution of excess LOIT reserves to local units.
BIC Goes to Washington
About 20 individuals representing Build Indiana Council joined 300 others from across the country at the Transportation Construction Fly-In to Washington in May.
BIC’s group met with both Indiana Senator Dan Coats and Senator Joe Donnelly, as well as each of the nine Indiana U. S. Representatives or members of their staff. In a refreshing twist, BIC members were able to share a message of “thanks” with our delegation for their support of the FAST ACT that congress passed in late 2015. The Fast Act provides some certainty for our industry over the next five years, and all of Indiana’s congressional delegation supported the bill’s passage. BIC’s message, however, did include a reminder that Congress did not enact a stable, long-term way to pay for highway investment. BIC also reminded the delegation that Indiana’s rate of return on federal highway funds is only 92.7 percent, and may drop even lower as Indiana’s contributions into the trust fund rise. Check out the Current Issues page on BIC’s website for photos and talking points from the event.
If you have any questions about this issue of BIC Matters, call BIC at (317) 634-4774.