By David Hazledine
InkFreeNews

MILFORD — Syracuse and Milford are among 241 Indiana cities, towns and counties awarded matching grants from Indiana Department of Transportation’s Community Crossings matching grant program. A total of $101 million in matching funds were distributed for the improvement of local roads and bridges.

The program is a component of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s Next Level Roads program.

Cities with populations under 10,000, including Syracuse and Milford, received a 75/25 matching grant from the state, with the state providing 75% of project funds. Syracuse received $343,875 and Milford received $232,875.18.

“It’s exciting,” exclaimed Mike Noe, Syracuse town manager. Syracuse will use its funding to widen West Brooklyn Street in both directions, so it can better handle truck traffic at Polywood.

Noe also said the grant will “expand the dollars we need to build the new ball field.” This, in turn, will allow Polywood to expand into a larger facility on the site of the current Harold Schrock Athletic Complex on Brooklyn Street.

Milford Street Superintendent Steven Marquart said the funds will be used to repave three streets: Henry Street from Section to Syracuse streets; Syracuse Street from the western city limits to Shaffer Street; First Street from SR 15 to Main Street. In addition, Americans with Disabilities Act ramps will be installed in those areas as needed.

The work will be completed in 2021.