INDIANAPOLIS, IN In a series of local appearances to different regions of Indiana, Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb, Department of Transportation Commissioner Brandye Hendrickson, and other INDOT officials announces the state is awarding $147 million in road and bridge improvement grants to cities, towns and counties.

That included:

$49 million spread among 99 communities in southern Indiana
$47 million for projects in 102 central Indiana jurisdictions
$51 million to $121 communities in the state's northern tier

The awards are from the "Community Crossings" fund for local road and bridge matching grants, which was created by the Indiana General Assembly this year and signed into law by Gov. Mike Pence in March.

INDOT said the program will provide about $160 million in funding this year that is available to all Indiana cities, towns and counties on a 50/50 matching basis. The program limits the grant amounts to no more than $1 million per community for each fiscal year.

Eligible projects include road resurfacing, bridge rehabilitation, road reconstruction, and compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act in connection with road projects. Material costs for chip sealing and crack filling operations are also eligible for funds.