The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has announced nearly $80m of federal transportation funding for 64 cities, towns, and counties in rural parts of the US state.

The funding will be used for local road and bridge improvements, as well as sidewalk and trail projects.

The $80m grant will be combined with local funds, which would amount to nearly $135m. This total amount will be invested in infrastructure in communities.

"Modern roads and bridges keep commerce moving at the speed of the 21st-century economy and sidewalks and trails help create the sense of place that sparks vibrant communities.”

Indiana Lieutenant Governor Eric Holcomb said: “Over the last decade, Indiana has demonstrated a commitment to investing in infrastructure that is nearly unmatched.

“Modern roads and bridges keep commerce moving at the speed of the 21st-century economy and sidewalks and trails help create the sense of place that sparks vibrant communities which attract businesses and talent to the Hoosier state.”

For the first time, INDOT has reserved nearly $5m funds for the improvements of sidewalk in rural communities.

The sidewalk programme is part of INDOT’s 'Common Paths' initiative for smaller communities living in Indiana.

The Common Paths initiative has been designed to implement transportation programmes and policies such as planning and design, including Complete Streets, bicycles, and pedestrians.

Additionally, each year INDOT will be investing nearly $2.5m for improvements of crosswalks and other sidewalk infrastructure along state highways in both rural and urban communities.

The latest round of funding will be used for design, development and purchase of land for projects that would be put for bidding during the fiscal year beginning July 2021.