Ohio to spend US$930mn on 10 Turnpike-sensitive highway projects

The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission (OTIC) has approved funding for 10 projects worth a combined US$930 million located in northern Ohio, each within 20 miles of the Turnpike. The projects will be funded using bond proceeds that were the result of Governor Kasich’s Ohio Jobs and Transportation Plan. OTIC conducted a special meeting on 9 September 2013 to hear Turnpike staff analysis of the 12 Transportation Review Advisory Committee (TRAC) projects that were presented to the Commission by th
Road Structures / September 20, 2013
The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission (OTIC) has approved funding for 10 projects worth a combined US$930 million located in northern Ohio, each within 20 miles of the Turnpike. The projects will be funded using bond proceeds that were the result of Governor Kasich’s Ohio Jobs and Transportation Plan.

OTIC conducted a special meeting on 9 September 2013 to hear Turnpike staff analysis of the 12 Transportation Review Advisory Committee (TRAC) projects that were presented to the Commission by the 7272 Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) at their regular meeting in August.

After considering each project individually during the meeting, the Commission unanimously approved a resolution establishing a list of qualified infrastructure projects. The list included 10 of the 12 projects which were originally proposed. In making their determination, the Commission had to decide whether the proposed projects specifically demonstrated the ‘transportation-related nexus’ to the Turnpike system.

The two projects that were eliminated from the list – due to an insufficient nexus - included improvements to a railroad crossing on McCord Road in Lucas County and construction of pedestrian and transit infrastructure for a bus route in Stark County. These projects remain on the TRAC list and have the committee’s commitment to move forward.

“This is a true partnership between our agencies. No trips start or end on the Turnpike, so our financial support of these projects is a benefit to the entire transportation system and Turnpike customers as well,” said Rick Hodges, OTIC executive director.

The 10 OTIC funding-approved projects are Cuyahoga County: Cleveland Innerbelt (CCG2-2nd Bridge) $340 million; Cuyahoga County:  Opportunity Corridor $39 million; Erie County – Erie US 250 $12.9 million; Hancock/Wood Counties: I-75 Corridor $204.1 million; Lorain County: Lorain SR 57 $16 million; Lucas County: Lucas I-75/I-475 $163 million; Lucas County: Lucas I-75 $45 million; Lucas County: Lucas I-475/20 $10 million; Mahoning County: Mahoning I-80 $65 million; and Summit County: Summit I-271 $60 million.

The five key ‘nexus’ criteria looked at by the OTIC were the physical proximity of the funding bid infrastructure project to, and a direct or indirect physical connection between, the infrastructure project and the Ohio turnpike system; the impact of the infrastructure project on traffic density, flow through, or capacity on the Ohio turnpike system; the impact of the infrastructure project on the Ohio turnpike system, toll revenue or other revenues; the impact of the infrastructure project on the movement of goods and services on, or in the area of, the Ohio turnpike system; and the enhancement or improvement by and through the infrastructure project of access to, use of, and egress from the Ohio turnpike system, and access to and from connected areas of population, commerce, and industry.
For more information on companies in this article
catfish1