LAWRENCE COUNTY — Several key transit corridors in Lawrence County are slated for a total overhaul following the announcement of a significant state grant aimed at infrastructure improvement.
Lawrence County has been awarded $822,814.64 through the Community Crossings Matching Grant program. Highway Superintendent Brian Sowder confirmed that the influx of capital will be used to pave three primary rural routes identified as high-priority areas for the department.
The funding is specifically earmarked for extensive paving work on the following roads:
- Sieboldt Quarry Road
- Stumphole Bridge Road
- West Powerline Road
Following a competitive bidding process, Milestone Contractors submitted the lowest bid for the project, coming in at $1,026,018. Under the terms of the Community Crossings program, the state grant will cover the majority of the costs, while Lawrence County will be responsible for a 20% local match to fulfill the contract.
While the major paving projects are being finalized, Lawrence County Highway crews remain active across the region. Superintendent Sowder noted that teams are currently:
- Preparing roadbeds for the upcoming asphalt application.
- Patching potholes exacerbated by recent weather cycles.
- Paving other county roads as part of the department’s standard maintenance rotation.
“These funds allow us to tackle larger-scale projects like Sieboldt Quarry and Powerline Road that are vital for local commerce and resident safety,” Sowder indicated during the project update at the commissioners’ meeting Tuesday morning.
The Community Crossings initiative, overseen by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), continues to be a primary driver for rural infrastructure development across Southern Indiana, allowing counties to stretch local tax dollars further.
