INDIANAPOLIS — This week, the Funding Indiana’s Roads for a Stronger, Safer Tomorrow Task Force voted to approve the final recommendations it wants the General Assembly to consider next session.
In order to keep Indiana’s local roads and bridges in good working order, lawmakers said local governments would need roughly $2.5 billion over the next decade and that’s not including larger state projects.
That’s why the task force is pushing the General Assembly to commit more dollars for roads and bridges at the road and state level, but acknowledged that could mean tough decisions ahead next budget session.
”I believe we have to come to a solution,” State Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton) said. ”If we do nothing, we’re borrowing and putting burden on future taxpayers. I think we must do this; [there’ll] be some hard decisions, but it’s the best thing long-term for our state.”
The task force also recommended fixing not only the roads but how roads are funded.
”That’s something that we’ve been battling for a while now,” Natalie Garrett, INDOT’s strategic communications director, said.
According to Garrett, inflation and more fuel-efficient vehicles out on the roadways mean fewer gas tax dollars going to fund road projects.
”Our goal is long-term sustainable funding, and what that looks like is up to the General Assembly,” Garrett said.
”Whether it be with the tax, tolling, you know, local options. I think this report kind of leaves that open for us to continue the discussions during session, and make some tough decisions,” State Sen. Ryan Mishler (R-Mishawaka) said.
Tweaks that could help large and small communities access funds from the popular Community Crossings Matching Grant Program could also be on the table.
”For smaller communities, they struggle sometimes to meet the million-dollar threshold to execute projects,” State Sen. Fady Qaddoura (D-Indianapolis) said. “But the cap on the Community Crossings awards also is insufficient for the larger communities like my community, Indianapolis.”
The task force also recommended strengthening state and local partnerships and providing greater incentives for communities that can prove they’re using their road funding dollars optimally. Garrett said she believes lawmakers will combine several solutions to address road funding next session.
“We do know that something needs to be done in order to allow INDOT to continue to maintain, improve our transportation infrastructure,” Garrett said.
