Town staff asked council to consider applying to the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) grant cycle for three transportation projects: a narrowed section of Dan Jones Road (phase 5), a White Lake Creek trail connection and bridge (a Transportation Alternatives project), and a future roundabout at County Road 600 East and County Road 100 North. Staff said the MPO scoring system places projects from across a nine‑county region in competition and that the three recommended projects occupy different funding categories.

Staff told council Dan Jones Road phase 5, as originally scoped to the Plainfield Christian Church area, carried a multi‑bridge, $17 million estimate; staff recommended splitting it into a shorter segment (roughly to Fairwood) to remove two bridges and reduce the construction estimate to an $8–9 million range. Staff said the project previously scored highly (near 100 under last year’s criteria) and remains the town’s best chance to secure significant federal funding, but emphasized the town would be responsible for the local match if awarded.

For the trail project, staff said they plan to scale back earlier, broader concepts and apply for a single, main trail route and the bridge over White Lake Creek; the trail would compete in the TA (Transportation Alternatives) category and would not compete directly with Dan Jones. Staff said design decisions carry cost implications and asked council to consider whether to pursue a federal pathway (which increases design and process requirements but can provide an 80% federal share) or to fund elements locally.

The roundabout at County Road 600 East/100 North would be advanced to the MPO pipeline so future infrastructure contributions from developers could be matched to a grant when the route becomes needed; staff said the project could potentially use HSIP (safety) or CMAC funding streams. Staff proposed applying for all three projects, noting each would draw on different local funding sources if awarded (TIF for Dan Jones, TIF/food & beverage for the trail match, infrastructure contributions for the roundabout). Staff recommended applying now to get the projects into the MPO pipeline even if funding decisions fall to future years.