by J.D. Davidson
Ohio plans to spread more than $120 million of taxpayer money over 13 counties for road projects, with $15 million spent to expand bus rapid transit in Columbus.
The new construction funding list from the Transportation Review Advisory Council includes $21 million for new construction, $35.5 million in additional construction, $33.4 million in new money for preliminary engineering, and another $28.4 million for more funding for development projects.
“As Ohio’s economy continues to grow, these projects will help ensure that our infrastructure keeps pace,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in a release. “These projects represent an ongoing investment to ensure people and goods can safely and efficiently move throughout Ohio.”
While the bulk of the money is geared toward road and highway construction, $15 million is going to the Central Ohio Transit Authority to implement bus rapid transit along a nine-mile corridor in Columbus.
Aside from the planned new bus corridor, several projects are in and around Columbus. Four others are in the Cincinnati-Dayton area, while two are near Cleveland.
Another project is scheduled for the Toledo area, while only three are scheduled for rural areas around the state.
“Our mission is to provide Ohio with a transportation system that is safe, accessible, well-maintained, and positioned for the future. By advancing these projects, we’re fulfilling that mission,” Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jack Marchbanks said.
The most expensive project is in Franklin County, where ramp widening will be done from I-270 east to I-71 north along the north outerbelt of Columbus. ODOT committed $22.5 million to the project.
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An Ohio native, J.D. Davidson is a veteran journalist with more than 30 years of experience in newspapers in Ohio, Georgia, Alabama and Texas. He has served as a reporter, editor, managing editor and publisher. Davidson is a regional editor for The Center Square.
