Monday, August 13, 2012

More than $85M awarded by OKI for regional transportation projects

The Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) on Friday awarded more than $85 million for 33 local transportation projects.

The funding, allocated through three federal programs – the Surface Transportation Program (STP, $37.6 million), Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ, $37.7 million), and the Surface Transportation Program for Northern Kentucky (SNK, $10.1 million) – was announced by OKI Board President and Clermont County Commissioner Edwin Humphrey.

"The funding approved by the OKI Board of Directors is the first and most important step in developing a more complete transportation infrastructure for the Tri-state area," Humphrey said. "Never before has infrastructure been as important to the region's economic development, improved safety and environmental well-being. Our health, jobs and incomes depend more and more on an efficient and varied means of transportation."

Projects receiving funding include:
"These projects play an important role in revitalizing our region and enhancing the quality of life for our citizens," said OKI Executive Director Mark Policinski. "OKI continues to move projects forward to help relieve stress from our congested roadways and provide transportation options to save citizens time and money, attract commerce and improve our environment."

OKI, Greater Cincinnati's metropolitan planning organization, includes representatives from local governments, business organizations, and community groups that produces long- and short-term transportation and economic development plans for the counties of Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren in Ohio; Boone, Campbell and Kenton in Kentucky; and Dearborn in Indiana.

Previous reading on BC:
$2.5M FTA grant to provide Metro with six more 'mini-hybrid' buses (7/25/12)
OKI seeking consultant for NKY traffic count (6/22/12)
'Lunken to Salem' trail underway (6/19/12)
MSD completes Lick Run plan (5/30/12)
Cincinnati approves application for transportation funding (4/9/12)