ODOT accomplishes Historic $2 Billion
Investment Goal for State Fiscal Year

Major Transportation Projects in every region of Ohio during SFY 2010

COLUMBUS (Wednesday, June 30, 2010) - As the 2010 state fiscal year comes to a close today, the Ohio Department of Transportation has accomplished a historic goal of investing $2 billion into Ohio’s multi-modal transportation system, with major transportation projects in every region of the state.

“For the first time in a single state fiscal year, ODOT’s construction program has reached this impressive $2 billion mark - nearly 30 percent larger than any other time in state history,” said ODOT Director Jolene M. Molitoris. “These historic investments in transportation are helping to ignite the state’s economic engine by creating jobs, modernizing our aging infrastructure, and giving our citizens and businesses real choices in travel and shipping.”

As pledged in the 2010-2011 State Transportation Budget, the $2 billion construction program combines state gas tax dollars, federal transportation funds, and new federal funding made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010 - the twelve months of state fiscal year 2010 - ODOT awarded 803 projects totaling $1,586,492,186. At the same time, ODOT assisted its local transportation partners in awarding 346 projects, totaling $489,869,516.

Some of the state’s largest projects awarded during this fiscal year include the $88 million Jeremiah Morrow Bridge replacement project near Cincinnati; $57.6 million second phase of the modernization of I-75 through downtown Dayton; a $14 million stimulus-funded project to better connect the Rickenbacker Airport and Intermodal Terminal near Columbus and an $11 million bridge widening project on I-270 in southern Franklin County; and a $23 million, five-mile major upgrade of I-70 in Belmont County.

Construction projects were also awarded for a $6.2 million pavement upgrade along I-70 near Zanesville; the $6.8 million stimulus-funded crane replacement project at the Port of Toledo and the reconstruction of I-475 in Lucas County; the $38.5 million major modernization of I-90 in Ashtabula County; and the $25 million State Route 4 Bypass in Butler County (near Cincinnati) which includes construction of the state’s first “superstreet” intersections to relieve increasing congestion.

“As we mark the historic $2 billion end of state fiscal year 2010, Team ODOT now prepares for a second $2 billion investment for state fiscal year 2011,” added ODOT Director Molitoris. “Through these investments, we are creating a true 21st Century multi-modal transportation system that will strengthen Ohio’s competitive position in national and global markets and revitalize our cities and towns.”

In addition to the number of projects being awarded, ODOT is highlighting the number of jobs this historic level of investment has impacted.

A well-studied formula from the Federal Highway Administration estimates that every $1 billion invested in highways and bridges impacts 27,800 jobs. With $2 billion invested in a single year, Ohio’s transportation investments will positively impact an estimated 55,000 jobs, ranging from direct jobs on construction sites, indirect jobs at companies that supply materials and good for construction, and spin-off jobs that benefit from all of the investment.