3-02-2024 12:19am

TRAC signs off on funding for 18 major projects

Beth Callahan Editor

Story and images from the Ohio Department of Transportation

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Transportation’s Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) has approved investing $127.3 million for 18 major transportation projects in 13 counties over the next four years.

The approved list includes $21 million in new construction funding, $35.5 million in additional funding for construction, $33.4 million in new funding for preliminary engineering, and $28.4 million in additional funding for development of projects.

“As Ohio’s economy continues to grow, these projects will help ensure that our infrastructure keeps pace,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “These projects represent an ongoing investment to ensure people and goods can safely and efficiently move throughout Ohio.”

TRAC approves funding from ODOT's Major New Capacity Program. While most of the funding is going toward construction and development of road and highway projects, $15 million has been awarded to the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) to implement bus rapid transit along a nine-mile corridor of West Broad Street (US 40) in Columbus.

“Our mission is to provide Ohio with a transportation system that is safe, accessible, well maintained, and positioned for the future. By advancing these projects, we’re fulfilling that mission,” said ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks.

Applications for TRAC Funding

Applications can be submitted by ODOT districts, metropolitan planning organizations, county engineers, transit authorities, county commissioners, municipalities, port authorities, or transportation improvement districts. To qualify, projects must improve capacity or reduce congestion and have an overall cost of more than $12 million. The 18 projects selected this year were among 28 applications submitted.

TRAC operates on an annual application cycle. The next application cycle begins on May 1, 2024 and ends on May 31, 2024.

At the completion of the application process TRAC members vote on the approval of the Major New Construction Program List of funding commitments for preliminary engineering, detailed design, right-of-way, and project construction. Projects receiving funding commitments are placed into three "tiers" based upon the level of project development:

Tier I - The group of projects recommended for construction during the upcoming four-year construction period.
Tier II - The group of projects recommended for additional environmental, design or right-of-way development activities necessary before the projects would be available for construction.
Tier III - The group of projects with previous phases funded for construction in Tier I. Projects placed in Tier III status are part of a long-range funding plan to advance multiple phase projects.

About TRAC: The Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) was established by Ohio Revised Code in 1997 to help the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) develop and modify a project selection process which approves funding for the development and construction of the Major New Capacity Program. To see the 28 applications that were submitted and the 18 projects that were selected this year click here.