For the first time in several years, an Ohio Department of Transportation panel has voted to proceed with hundreds of millions of dollars in road construction projects.
Central Ohio projects include 73 million for interchange improvements at I-270 and I-70, 10 million for construction of northbound express lanes on I-71 between Stringtown Road and I-270, and 8 million for improvements to the U.S. 36 and SR-37 intersection and associated railroad bridge replacement in Delaware County. More from Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler.
ODOT director Jack Marchbanks says the Transportation Review and Advisory Council, or TRAC, has nearly $400 million to spend thanks to the increase in the gas tax that took effect in July.
“Prior to this package passing, we only had $10-12 million available for projects, and that was just to take care of change orders with the existing projects. So this really is a good day.”
27 projects around the state had applied for funding – 20 were moved forward on interstates and state routes, fixing up interchanges and widening and adding express lanes. ODOT says these projects will help relieve congestion and enhance capacity but that the agency is not building new infrastructure.