TRAC approves draft list of major new projects
Final vote expected next month
COLUMBUS - The Ohio Department of Transportation's Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) approved nearly $398 million for construction and development of 20 projects focused on improving roadway capacity and reducing congestion.
The projects recommended for construction funding included on the draft list are:
$79 million for widening of
I-475 and construction of a new interchange at U.S. 20A in Lucas County
$65 million for widening and interchange improvements along
I-77 from Arlington Road to I-77, I-277, and U.S. 224 in Summit County
$8 million for interchange improvements to
U.S. 40 and Dayton International Airport Access Road in Montgomery County
$18 million for widening of
SR-18 between the City of Medina and I-71 in Medina County
$8 million for improvements to the
U.S. 36 and SR-37 intersection and associated railroad bridge replacement in Delaware County
$4.3 million for improvements to the
U.S. 33 and SR-161 Interchange in Union County, bringing TRAC’s total to commitment for construction of this project to $11.3 million
"While more than 90 cents of every dollar we invest into roads and bridges goes to maintaining our existing system, we still have to address congestion and enhance capacity where it makes sense," said ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks. "Just a few months ago, ODOT was struggling to fund maintaining our roads and bridges. Money for major new projects wasn't even a thought. However, thanks to an increase in the state's motor fuel tax - a user fee - we've been able to move forward with these much needed projects."
The vote launches a written public comment period. Comments, which will be accepted through October, may be e-mailed to:
trac@dot.state.oh.us, or mailed to:
Ohio Department of Transportation
C/O Jim Gates
1980 West Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43223
Once the written public comment period concludes, the TRAC will decide if additional public hearings and or project evaluations are needed before proceeding with a vote to accept a final TRAC list. This is not the first time stakeholders have had an opportunity to comment on a TRAC project. Earlier this year, the TRAC heard from project advocates at regional public hearings in northeast, southwest, and central Ohio.
TRAC received
27 applications for transportation projects requesting nearly $925 million for development or construction funding. This vote takes TRAC one step closer to wrapping up a year-long process of receiving and reviewing applications for major new transportation funding projects throughout the state.
TRAC was established by the Ohio General Assembly in 1997. It is charged with developing and overseeing a project selection process for major new transportation capacity projects that cost more than $12 million. Since 1998, TRAC has invested nearly $11 billion into Ohio’s infrastructure.
