County, Dunkirk, Portland awarded funding

The county and two of its municipalities have been awarded state funding for road projects.

Jay County, Portland and Dunkirk were awarded a combined $1.25 million Indiana Department of Transportation Community Crossings grants, with Indiana Gov. Mike Braun making the announcement Thursday morning.

The grants were part of more than $200 million in funding awarded statewide.

“Improving and maintaining roads and bridges at all levels is crucial for enhancing quality of life and public safety for Hoosiers,” said Braun in a press release. “Communities across the state need investment in their local infrastructure and we are pleased to partner with them to make necessary improvements.”

Jay County received the bulk of the local grant funding at $1.03 million. The funding will be used for rehabilitation of the Seventh Street bridge over the Salamonie River in Portland. It will include adding a sidewalk on the north side of the bridge.

The grants require a 25% match from the county/municipality, putting the county’s contribution at $343,750.

The project has been discussed for the last few years but stalled amid negotiations with property owners near the bridge. 

In January, Jay County Commissioners signed a $13,900 agreement with the property owners at 402 W. Seventh St., in order to grant an easement related to replacing the bridge. 

An additional $7,500 is factored in to pay for trees to be removed in the process.

Dunkirk received a grant of $143,126.25. It will go toward paving Pleasant Street on the west side of the city, Fourth Street, D Street and Lincoln Avenue between Main and Angle streets. The local match will be $47,708.75.

The state awarded $76,575 to Portland for paving the entirety of Charles Street. The city’s match will be $25,525.

Portland had previously been awarded $741,502.50 in late 2024 for paving sections of Williams, Maple/Mangold, Shank, Ship, Franklin, 7th, North, 1st, Garfield, Munson and Hayes, Silvers Lane, Tyson Road, Wayside Place, Jaqua Avenue and Western Avenue.

Redkey was awarded $166,134.75 in that same grant round for paving sections of Union, Mitchell, Washington and Oak Streets as well as Delaware Avenue.

Other Community Crossings awards announced Thursday included $1.5 million for Adams County, $1.1 million for Winchester, $680,715.38 for Delaware County, $328,606.56 for Wells County and $99,675 for Union City.