Projects will Improve Roads and Bridges, Make Communities More Walkable and Bikeable

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Transportation announced today that $120.8 million in federal transportation funding is being awarded to 52 cities, towns, and counties in rural portions of Indiana to invest in local road and bridge improvements and sidewalk projects.

“Indiana is making unprecedented investments in infrastructure,” Governor Eric J. Holcomb said. “Our partnership with cities, towns, and counties to improve local roads and build new sidewalks is an important element in our bold strategy to enhance connections for all Hoosiers regardless of where they live, play, and work.”

For this latest round of funding, rural communities will design, develop and purchase land for projects that would be bid during the fiscal year beginning July 2025. While the funds awarded now are dedicated to construction, INDOT will also be financially participating in design, engineering, and right of way acquisition components of these projects.

Federal transportation funds are leveraged by many communities to rehabilitate or replace local bridges. As INDOT continues to partner with local governments to make record investments in taking care of existing roads and bridges, this round of funding awards emphasized improving local bridge conditions. Nearly $87 million in federal funds were awarded for projects to rehab or replace 54 local bridges currently rated in poor condition. Beyond bridge projects, these funds will support pavement resurfacing/reconstruction projects; Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) projects such as sidewalks, ADA ramps, and trails; and traffic safety projects.

INDOT dedicates approximately 25 percent of its federal highway funds to supporting local projects each year. Metropolitan Planning Organizations distribute those funds to cities, towns, and counties within the state’s larger urbanized areas while INDOT distributes funds outside MPO areas. Communities must contribute at least 20 percent in local matching funds and meet other federal requirements to receive federal funding.

Communities were invited to submit project applications to INDOT for potential funding during a call for projects announced in October 2019.

A list of all communities receiving funds is online at http://www.in.gov/indot/2390.htm.

Right to Life of Southwest Indiana (RTLSWIN) and the City of Evansville are partnering to install two Safe Haven Baby Boxes in efforts to raise awareness of Safe Haven Laws and save the lives of babies.  Indiana leads the United States with a total of 13 boxes located throughout the state.

A Baby Box is a safety device provided for under state’s Safe Haven Law and legally permits a mother in crisis to safely, securely, and anonymously surrender if she is unable to care for her newborn.  A Baby Box is installed in an exterior wall of a designated fire station or hospital.  It has an exterior door that automatically locks upon placement of a newborn inside the Baby Box, and an interior door which allows a medical staff member to secure the surrendered newborn from inside the designated building.

The city will partner with the Safe Haven Baby Boxes organization which will license the boxes to the installment locations.  Each temperature-controlled box has a multiple alarm system that sounds when a baby is placed in the confines of the box.  Locations have yet to be determined in Evansville, but are primarily housed at hospitals or fire stations where on-site medical personnel can be alerted immediately to the surrendered child.  Since September of 2019, three babies have been saved in Indiana from possible abandonment or death through the Safe Haven Baby Boxes; and, a total of 9 babies have been saved since April 2016.

“With the Safe Haven Laws in place, there is no reason for a child to suffer through illegal abandonment,” said Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, City of Evansville.  “The two locations in Evansville will help parents in crisis to surrender without retribution.”

“Our mission at Right to Life of Southwest Indiana is to protect life, and we are delighted that the City of Evansville sees the importance of having the Safe Haven Baby Boxes within the community,” said Mary Ellen Van Dyke, Executive Director of Right to Life of Southwest Indiana.  “These projects are being funded by Right to Life through our generous donors.”  The Safe Haven Baby Boxes will not only help save babies, but help raise awareness for Indiana’s Safe Haven Laws which states that a person may surrender an infant anonymously without fear of arrest or prosecution.

RTLSWIN is responsible for all funds needed to purchase, install and maintain the baby boxes with no cost to the City of Evansville.  Donations for Safe Haven Baby Boxes can be made by calling the RTLSWIN office at 812-474-3195 or sending your check to 20 NW Third Street, Suite 810, Evansville, IN 47708 with Safe Haven Baby Boxes in the note section.