(INDIANAPOLIS) - Indiana's Community Crossings Matching Grant Program awarded local communities over $11.1 million in state funding for local road and bridge projects.

The announcement was made by Republican State Representatives David Abbott of Rome City, Tony Isa of Angola and Ben Smaltz of Auburn.

Abbott says these funds are necessary for local communities to keep their roads in top shape. ...... {LISTEN}.

Area grant recipients include: LaGrange ($1.5 million); LaGrange County ($1.5 million); Noble County ($1.5 million); Steuben County ($1.5 million); Fremont ($1.5 million); Auburn ($1.5 million); Topeka ($975,000); Albion ($713,985) and Ashley ($441,000).

This year, 245 Indiana communities will receive more than $200 million in state matching grants.

Indiana was recently ranked as the best state in the nation for overall road conditions by Consumer Affairs, noting the low rate of traffic fatalities and quality of roads.