SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The Indiana Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that it has awarded $179.8 million in federal transportation funding to 50 cities, towns, and counties across rural Indiana.

The funds will be invested in local road and bridge improvements as well as sidewalk projects.

INDOT officials say rural communities will design, develop, and purchase right-of-way for local projects. The funds will be dedicated to construction, but INDOT will also financially participate in design, engineering, and right-of-way acquisition components, officials said.

Communities submitted project applications to INDOT for potential funding during a call for projects in November 2025.

Local communities awarded funding include:

• Elkhart County - Local Bridge Project - Bridge #252 carrying CR 1 over Baugo Creek 0.5 miles north of CR 32. - $2,367,769
• Kosciusko County - Local Bridge Project - Replacement of Bridge #145 on CR 600 W, 0.20 miles north of W Shilling Road - $2,630,400
• LaPorte County - Local Bridge Project - Bridge #114 over Porter Ditch between CR 850 South and CSX Railroad - $1,139,094.60
• Marshall County - Local Bridge Project - Michigan Road (used to be US31) over CSX Railroad is located N. of US6 .65 Miles. - $8,088,000
• Fulton County - Local Bridge Project - 0.70 miles S of CR 400 S, Section(s) 4 & 5, T-29-N, R-1-E, Wayne Township, Fulton County, Indiana - $2,806,400
• Plymouth - Local TAP Project - Oak Dr from SR 17 (Lake Ave) to US 30; Western Plymouth, IN - $2,615,120
• North Judson - Local TAP Project - New sidewalks along Cincinnati/Luken street from SR 10 to Sycamore St - $476,800

You can find a full list of funded projects online.