INGALLS — An award of $303,183 from the Indiana Department of Transportation’s Community Crossing Matching Grant program will aid the improvement of roads in the town of Ingalls.
At the Nov. 22 Ingalls Town Council meeting, street department supervisor Carl Marlett informed the council that the town had been awarded the grant that will help pay for patching work.
Marlett said the total project cost is $404,000 with the town’s match coming to $101,061.
The state’s Community Crossings Matching Grant program began in 2016 and provides funding to cities, towns and counties across the state to make improvements to roads and bridges. Cities and towns with a population of fewer than 10,000 receive funds using a 75/25% match. Larger communities receive funds using a 50/50% match.
The award was part of the Round 2 of Community Crossings grants for 2021.
The grant work includes includes patching cracks and pot holes on County Road 750 West from State Road 67 to County Road 1000 North, a distance of 2,195 feet.
It also include work on County Road 650 West from Reformatory Road to the south side of Fall Creek Bridge, which includes 2,330 feet of work.
Additionally, 490 feet of County Road 800 South from 300 linear feet east of Commerce Drive to 190 linear feet west of Commerce Drive will be repaired.
Indianapolis-based Triad Associates Inc. will provide engineering services for the project.
Speed limit change
To be consistent with a recent change made by Madison County, Ingalls is creating an ordinance for a speed limit change on a stretch of County Road 800 South.
All of 800 east of State Road 13 that is within the Ingalls incorporated limits will have the speed limit reduced from 45 mph to 30 mph.
Madison County reduced its portion of 800 to 30 mph earlier this year.
Ready for the snow
Marlett told the council plows and salt spreaders are prepared for expected inclement weather.
He said the town has 60 to 70 tons of salt.
“I want to hold off on ordering salt until next year,” Marlett said. “I’d like to burn off last year’s salt before bringing in any new.”
Gardner’s return
The meeting was the first for newest council member Justin Gardner, who was appointed by Madison County Republican Party Chairman Russ Willis to replace Scot Lawyer.
Lawyer, who was the council president, resigned from the board due to health reasons on Nov. 1.
Vice president Georgia Parker has been serving as interim president.
The board had the election of new officers on its meeting agenda but postponed the vote to its first meeting in December as councilman Will McWain was unable to attend. The next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 13.
It’s Gardner’s second go-around as a member of the council. He was appointed in 2017 after Dusty Smith’s resignation. In the Nov. 2019 election, Gardner missed retaining his council seat by four votes.