Seymour and Jackson County have been awarded nearly $6 million to invest in future local road and bridge improvements and sidewalk projects.
The city will use its awarded funds to reconstruct a major portion of O’Brien Street, adding sidewalks and improving drainage, while the county plans to replace two bridges in the far western part of the county.
On Tuesday, the Indiana Department of Transportation announced 52 cities, towns and communities will receive a total of $120.8 million in funding for projects to begin in 2025.
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Of that amount, Seymour is receiving $4,245,501.92, and Jackson County is getting $1,346,400.
Mayor Matt Nicholson said he was excited to find out the news because it is the first major project he and Department of Public Works Director Chad Dixon pitched to INDOT together.
The total project is to reconstruct O’Brien Street all the way from Burkart Boulevard on the north side of the city to the future Burkart Boulevard bypass on the south side. It will be completed in five different phases at a cost of $16 million.
This round of federal funding will pay for two of the five phases going from Village Circle Avenue north to Fourth Street.
“We applied for funding for three phases and are thrilled to get two,” Nicholson said. “This area has been identified for years as a trouble spot in need of help with drainage and safety. The road is falling apart, and there are no sidewalks. It’s a heavily trafficked area by pedestrians.”
The city will have to contribute a 20% local match. Nicholson said he plans to work with the Seymour Redevelopment Commission on funding.
“We have several years to come up with what we need,” he said.
County Highway Superintendent Jerry Ault said he made a presentation in October about the need to replace two bridges in the western part of the county that are rated in poor condition.
Bridge 206, which spans Salt Creek, is located on County Road 825N between county roads 875W and 990W. That project has a $776,800 price tag.
The second is Bridge 26 in the far southwestern corner of Carr Township west of Sparksville. That bridge is located on County Road 625S and spans Twin Creek. The cost of replacing it is $569,600.
Ault said the highway department has been trying to reduce the number of bridges in Jackson County’s inventory of 190 that are rated in poor condition in recent years.
That number is now lower than a dozen, he said.
Two other federally funded bridge replacements in the county are being planned before design work, planning and permits are completed for the newest projects, Ault said.
One, planned for 2022, will replace Bridge 154 over the Vernon Fork of the Muscatatuck River on County Road 300S east of County Road 840E. A second will see Bridge 197 on County Road 100S over the McMillan Drain in the Vallonia bottoms replaced in 2023.
Communities were invited to submit project applications to INDOT for potential funding during a call for projects announced in October 2019.
INDOT dedicates approximately 25% of its federal highway funds to supporting local projects each year. While the funds awarded now are dedicated to construction, INDOT also will be financially participating in design, engineering and right of way acquisition components of these projects.
“Indiana is making unprecedented investments in infrastructure,” Gov. Eric Holcomb said. “Our partnership with cities, towns and counties to improve local roads and build new sidewalks is an important element in our bold strategy to enhance connections for all Hoosiers regardless of where they live, play and work.”
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A list of communities receiving funds is online at in.gov/indot/2390.htm.
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