More than 60 rural communities around Indiana are sharing nearly $80 million in federal funding for road and bridge improvements and other projects.
The Indiana Department of Transportation said Monday the federal money announced for 64 rural cities, town and counties will also pay for sidewalk and trail projects. INDOT says about $5 million of the funding will go solely for sidewalk improvements in rural areas.
The funding will support land acquisition and design and development efforts for the local projects.
INDOT says it dedicates about 25 percent of its federal highway funds to supporting local projects each year. The rural communities awarded the funding submitted applications in response to a call for projects issued in March.