Kasich's plan accelerates the timelines for the construction of more than three dozen highway projects by providing $1.5 billion from the sale of bonds backed by Ohio Turnpike toll revenues, which would be applied to projects in northern Ohio. Additional Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) funding then would be available for projects in other parts of the state.
"The governor's plan not only helps generate $3 billion for Ohio's economically-critical highway system, but it accelerates needed projects in some cases by decades and it does it without a tax increase," ODOT Director and TRAC chairman Jerry Wray said in a prepared release. "It's an innovative approach that shakes up the status quo in a way that Ohio needs and I appreciate the TRAC's strong support so the plan can move forward."
The projects are part of TRAC's Major New Construction Program List for fiscal years 2014-2017.
Among the local projects recommended for funding are:
- I-75 Mill Creek Expressway Phase 5, Mitchell Avenue to the Monmouth Street overpass, including the I-74 interchange ($205.2M), $1.3 million in 2014 for right-of-way acquisition, $2 million in 2015 for right-of-way acquisition, and $130.9 million in 2017 for construction;
- Thru the Valley Phase I, I-75 from Glendale-Milford Road to Shepherd Lane ($117M), $2 million in 2014 for right-of-way acquisition and $70.3 million in 2016 for construction;
- Brent Spence Bridge, Ohio portion and approaches ($1.16B), $5 million in 2014 for design and development, $30.3 million in 2014 for right-of-way acquisition, and $23.9 million in 2015 for right-of-way acquisition;
- I-71/Martin Luther King Drive interchange ($107.7M), $5.4 million in 2014 for design and development, $10.5 million in 2014 for right-of-way acquisition, and $41 million in 2014 for construction;
- I-75 Mill Creek Expressway Phase 6, replacement of the railroad overpass south of the Norwood Lateral ($41.1M), $22.6 million in 2018 for construction;
- Thru the Valley Phases 3-8, I-75 ($439.9M), $8.8 million in 2014 for design and development and $3.2 million in 2014 for right-of-way acquisition;
- Eastern Corridor, realignment of S.R. 32 between Red Bank Road and Bells Lane ($366M), $4.3 million in 2014 for preliminary engineering;
- I-75 Mill Creek Expressway Phases 8 and 8A, Norwood Lateral to Cross County Highway ($132.8M), $3 million in 2014 for right-of-way acquisition;
- Eastern Corridor Oasis Rail ($617.4M), $1.1 million in 2014 for preliminary engineering.
Public comment on the Jobs and Transportation Plan or the draft TRAC recommendations are being accepted through August 16 and can be sent to the Ohio Department of Transportation, c/o Jim Gates, 1980 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43223; or e-mailed to trac@dot.state.oh.us.
TRAC was established in 1997 to provide project selection guidance for transportation investments of $12 million or more.
Many of these projects were delayed in early 2012 when ODOT Director Jerry Wray pushed back dozens of statewide projects due to a $1.6 billion departmental budget shortfall. But in June 2012, Wray announced that $400 million had become available over the next five fiscal years as a result of increased department efficiency, workforce and vehicle fleet reduction, higher than anticipated gas tax receipts, and the elimination of federal earmarks.
Previous reading on BC:
$3B Kasich transportation proposal would speed up MLK, I-75 projects (7/23/13)
State board approves $4.2M for I-71/MLK property acquisition (7/11/13)
MLK interchange wins $5M; Public meetings set (4/1/13)
Hopple interchange work begins (3/5/13)
TRAC accepts 2014-2017 draft for road projects, accepting public comment (12/21/12)
