Beech Grove Mayor Dennis Buckley to receive ceremonial $410,836 check
Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Director Anna Gremling will deliver an oversized check representing $410,836 in federal funds to Beech Grove Mayor Dennis Buckley on June 26 at 11 a.m. at the corner of Yazoo Drive and Woodmont Court, to help pay for a multi-use trail along Thompson Road.
| WHO: | Beech Grove Mayor Dennis Buckley and Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Director Anna Gremling |
| WHAT: | $410,836 check presentation |
| WHEN: | Tuesday, June 26 at 11 a.m. |
| WHERE: | Intersection of Yazoo Drive and Woodmont Court, Beech Grove |
| WHY: | To represent the federal funds coming to Beech Grove for the Thompson Road multi-use trail |
As part of an annual funding process, Beech Grove planners submitted projects for consideration by the Metropolitan Planning Organization, which is responsible for planning and programming federal transportation funds in the eight-county Central Indiana region. Projects are judged based on such criteria as impacts to air quality, improvements to congestion, safety, pavement quality and more.
“It’s always a very competitive process, but Beech Grove’s project rose to the top,” Gremling said “Building and maintaining infrastructure is one of local governments’ biggest challenges, but also critical to the regional and state economies.”
Beech Grove was one of 15 communities and agencies in the region selected to receive federal funds.
According to Beech Grove’s application, the multi-use trail will be an 8-foot asphalt path constructed on the north side of Thompson Road from 9th Avenue to Emerson Avenue. Sidewalks will extend north from the path along both sides of Yazoo Drive to and through the Woodmont Court and Oakmont Court intersection. It will provide increased connectivity and safe options for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The total project cost is $585,909, with 80 percent – $410,836 – of it federal funding through the Metropolitan Planning Organization. The project is scheduled to begin in 2023.
Mayor Buckley along with local residents will be part of the event to accept the ceremonial check.
About the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization
Federal law requires each urbanized area with a population of 50,000 or more to have an MPO, and the MPO planning process is required to receive federal funds for transit, transportation alternatives, and roadway improvements. The Indianapolis MPO encompasses 1,520 square miles and includes eight counties and 31 cities and towns.
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MPO MEDIA CONTACT: Jen Schmits Thomas, 317-441-2487, jen@jtprinc.com
