Transportation

The traveling public expects the transportation system to meet their individual needs in a manner that is safe, convenient, economical, and efficient, with minimal disruption to their daily routines. Local agencies face a variety of challenges based on their geography, traffic, population, staffing, local expectations, and infrastructure condition, but the largest challenge is finding the funds to construct transportation improvement projects.

Funding Options

County Engineers Assoc of Ohio

ODOT provides funds to the County Engineers Association of Ohio (CEAO) for county programs. The CEAO serves as a program manager and is responsible for project selection, funding criteria, and program priorities. The Local Bridge Program provides funds to counties for bridge rehabilitation or replacement projects. The Surface Transportation Program provides funding for a wide variety of roadway projects, including safety projects. The Highway Safety Improvement Program provides funds to counties for highway safety treatments, corrective activity designed to alleviate a safety problem, or for safety inventories and studies.

Additional Information

Metro Parks

The Metro Park Program provides state funds for construction and reconstruction of park drives, park roads, new or replacement bridges, park access roads and parking lots within the boundaries of county parks. All projects must be associated with public vehicular access to be eligible. Eligible recipients must be part of the Metro Parks system. Projects are funded with 100% state monies.

Additional Information

Municipal Bridge Program

The Municipal Bridge Program provides federal funds for bridge replacement or rehabilitation. ODOT will fund up to 80% of the project costs for construction activities. The municipality is responsible for the 20% match, as well as the balance of the construction costs and for all costs associated with preliminary engineering, environmental studies, final design and right-of-way.

Additional Information

MPOs & Large Cities Program

ODOT provides annual capital (construction) budgets for Ohio’s 17 Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and five Large Cities outside MPO areas. The budgets are comprised of three separate federal fund types: Surface Transportation Program (STP), Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (CMAQ).

Additional Information

OPWC

The Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) provides financing for communities through the State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP). This funding can be up to $500,000 in the form of a zero-percent interest loan, a grant, or a combination of both. Applications for OPWC are normally submitted in early fall depending on the district, with funding available on July 1st of the following year.

Additional Information

Safety Programs

ODOT has one of the largest Safety Programs in the country. The funding can be used to improve safety on any public roadway. ODOT funds up to 90% of the cost for preliminary engineering, detailed design, right-of-way, or construction. Safety projects may be on a city street, county, or township road. Priority is given to those projects with recommended activities or counter measures that improve safety at roadway locations with a high frequency, severity, or rate of crashes.

Additional Information

Small Cities

The ODOT Small Cities program funds projects in cities with populations from 5,000 to 24,999 that are outside of a metropolitan planning organization. ODOT will provide up to 80% of the eligible costs for project construction. The local project sponsor is responsible for the 20% match, as well as the balance of the construction costs and also for all costs associated with preliminary engineering, environmental studies, final design, and right-of-way. Funds may be used for any roadway, signal, or safety project on the federal-aid system.

Additional Information

State Infrastructure Bank

The State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) is a direct loan and bond financing program available to assist borrows with all levels and modes of transportation projects within the state. SIB funds can be used for up to 100% of the project costs. The program is flexible with terms, including an interest-free period. Applications are accepted year round. Any highway or transit project eligible under United States Code Title 23 are eligible for SIB financing.

Additional Information

Transportation Improvement Districts

The Transportation Improvement Districts (TID) Program promotes intergovernmental and public-private cooperation by coordinating resources in transportation and provides funding for construction, right-of-way acquisition, and engineering design. The total amount of funding provided for each project is limited to 25% of total project costs or $250,000 per fiscal year, whichever is less.

Additional Information

Urban Paving

The Urban Paving Program funds eligible surface treatment and resurfacing projects on state and U.S. routes within municipal corporations. ODOT funds up to 80% of the project costs, while the local government provides funding for the balance. ODOT’s districts prioritize and select projects based on pavement conditions, traffic volumes, and negotiations with local officials. ODOT will not participate in the costs of curbs, curb ramps, gutters, utility relocations, and other non-surface items.

Contact

For more information on Transportation Services
JASON BURGHOLDER, PE
Transportation Services Manager
jburgholder@kemccartney.com
419-525-0093