This year, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) plans to invest $1.92 billion in 956 transportation projects statewide, including 4,596 miles of pavement and 876 bridges.
Included in the total are 266 safety projects. Of these, 131 projects, $178 million, were funded through the ODOT Highway Safety Improvement Program. A portion of this funding helps municipalities, townships, and counties make safety improvements on roads they maintain.
Also included are more than 150 intersections prioritized in 2019. This year, 43 projects will begin construction, 101 are under design, and four are being studied. Improvements range from changing signage to striping to full reconstruction of an intersection.
“Ohio’s ability to safely and easily move people and goods is vital as we continue to recover from the global pandemic,” Gov. Mike DeWine said. “As ODOT begins the 2021 construction season, there are many infrastructure projects throughout the state that will improve safety for motorists.”
In July 2019, a motor fuel tax increase went into effect. This increase allowed ODOT to keep maintenance and safety projects on the schedule despite a 15.5 percent drop in traffic volume in 2020.
For every dollar invested, 96 cents will go toward existing roads and bridges.