Ohio DOT announces plans to spend $2.5B this construction season

© Shutterstock

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) plans to invest a record $2.5 billion in more than 1,000 projects statewide this construction season.

Approximately 95 cents of every dollar will be used to preserve existing roads and bridges.

This year’s construction program includes 190 safety projects to reduce serious or deadly crashes, 823 bridges that will be repaired or replaced, more than 5,700 miles of pavement that will be improved, and 31 new projects that are considered “major” with a value above $10 million.

“These investments are made possible by hard-working Ohioans who use these roads and bridges every day to get to work, school, medical appointments, and family vacations. It is our duty to ensure the resources entrusted to us are used wisely,” ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks said.

The department urges motorists to pay extra attention when driving through work zones.

In 2022, there were 133 ODOT crews struck while working. In addition, there were 4,628 work zone-related crashes, resulting in 23 deaths and 85 serious injuries.

Most of the accidents occurred between 3 and 5 p.m., with Wednesday being the top day and June being the top month. Summit County had the most accidents, with 814 work zone crashes.