Earlier this year, the Indiana Department of Transportation announced the agency would make available at least $125 million for high-priority railroad safety projects on local roads statewide through the agency’s new “Local Trax” matching grant program.
“We’re going to go after funds made available through the Local Trax Program,” said Frankfort Mayor Chris McBarnes Tuesday. “It’s just too good of an opportunity. INDOT came forward earlier this summer saying that communities across the state could partner with city and county, with the private sector and build overpasses in communities. We need one in our community. It’s been talked about for decades.”
This program would require local governments to provide only 20 percent of funding for land acquisition and construction with the state providing the other 80 percent. The goal of Local Trax is to encourage partnership between the state, local governments, private businesses and railroads to increase safety, improve mobility and enhance the quality of life for Hoosiers.
“I’ve been working hand-in-hand with Commissioner Josh Uitts, our County Highway Superintendent Kevin Myers, our Street Superintendent Jason Forsythe and the engineers of Butler, Fairman and Seufert to draw up a proposal overpass on the west side of our city,” said McBarnes. “We’re looking at Roy Scott Parkway.”
Asked if there was enough room in that area for an overpass, McBarnes said engineers came back to him and said it was the only area between the Industrial Park and downtown Frankfort that was possible.
“Our grant is due at the end of September and we have one more meeting to finalize that,” said McBarnes. “I’m garnering support letters from the private sector. Again, this is going to a city/county partnership. This would be built in the year 2022 and we’ll know if we’re awarded funds sometime by the end of November.”
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