On Thursday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Jack Marchbanks announced more than $5 million in transportation projects to support job growth and retention.
The money will fund 15 projects that are part of ODOT’s Transportation Improvement District program, officials said.
“As Ohio’s economy continues to grow, our transportation system must keep pace. These projects will help create and retain jobs by ensuring that businesses can safely and efficiently carry out their work and transport products,” DeWine said.
Projects receiving funding include the construction of roundabouts and turn lanes, as well as improvements to pavement, intersections and drainage. Officials said the project support 22,735 jobs and over $3 billion in private sector capital investments. ODOT’s Office of Jobs and Commerce awarded the funding to projects that support job creation and retention, as well as economic development and intergovernmental cooperation.
ODOT said $4.1 million of the funding will go to construction projects, and the remaining will be used to obtain right-of-way, and for preliminary engineering and design projects. Officials said almost all of the projects provide funding for roadways maintained by local governments. Funding was limited to $500,000 per fiscal year per project.
“Ohio is within a day’s drive of 60 percent of the U.S. and Canadian population,” Marchbanks said. “When it comes to logistics, we’re the heart of it all. These projects will ensure that we maintain that status.”