Lou Hazapis, P.E., Planning & Engineering Administrator

The Transportation Planning and Engineering administrative area is where our projects are planned based on road and bridge condition data, input from Highway Management and requests from other governmental agencies. All studies and preliminary engineering are performed in this area. During the project initiation, all affected entities are involved in the project scoping process. These groups would include other ODOT work units, local public agencies, metropolitan planning organizations and others. Projects are then prioritized based on need and funding capabilities for the incorporation into the annual work plan. The annual work plan is utilized to develop the district Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), a key component of the department’s four year federally-approved State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The Planning and Engineering administrative area is accountable for delivering contract plans from the planning stage to the construction stage.

The following areas are included in Transportation Planning and Engineering:

The Environmental section ensures environmental compliance for all of the District's projects and maintenance activities. Contact: Mark Carpenter (216) 584-2089

Traffic performs several different types of studies such as speed studies, intersection studies for lane additions and traffic signal warrants, interchange justification studies and high accident location studies. Contact: Brian Blayney (216) 584-2102.

The Bridge section is responsible for the annual inspection of the district’s 989 bridges, as required by law. Contact: Jim Calanni (216) 584-2110

Pavements determines our district’s yearly pavement program through field reviews and data collected from Central Office in Columbus. Contact: Jim Marszal (216) 584-2128

Transportation Planning and Engineering also provide assistance to Local Public Agencies during the developmental process. Contact: Gary Benesh (216) 584-2108

The Real Estate administration’s duties include property acquisition with a project, property appraisal, purchase and may include legal proceedings. Contact: Dan Dougherty (216) 584-2130

This can include activities in any of the following major areas of responsibility:

·        Survey

·        Plan Development

·        Contract Administration of externally developed plans

·        Utility Relocation

After completion of a field review, the project is given to Production for contract plan development. Depending upon schedule, work load and complexity, it is determined whether the plans should be performed internally by Production or externally via a consultant under contract to ODOT.