By 1808Delaware
A corridor study for the new US23 realignment and/or adjustment between Toledo and southern Delaware County was added to the list to receive funding from the Ohio Department of Transportation when the Transportation Review Advisory Council met this week.
The total of new projects added to the official list includes more than $292 million in funding commitments, and includes a local initiativ.
“Our economy depends on smart investments that make our transportation system safe and efficient,” said Governor DeWine. “The projects approved today will keep our economy moving forward.”
TRAC-funded projects focus on enhancing the capacity of Ohio’s transportation system and making it more efficient. The program resumed this year after being paused in 2020 when traffic volumes across the state dipped significantly leading to a decline in revenue from the motor fuel tax. There were 36 new applications requesting $551 million submitted this year.
“As traffic volumes increase, we will continue to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to us. Ohio’s economy is growing. Safe, accessible and well-maintained transportation infrastructure is key to sustaining that economic growth and improving the quality of life for Ohioans,” said ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks. “These latest TRAC projects are evidence of the DeWine-Husted Administration’s ongoing investment in our state.”
The project was placed in “Tier Two,” representing projects recommended for additional environmental, design or right-of-way development activities necessary before projects reach the construction. It joins several other Delaware County projects already in the pipeline, which include:
TIER ONE (projects recommended for construction during the upcoming four-year construction period)
Delaware US36/SR37 widening and replacement of railroad bridge ($32.4 million)
36/37/I71 Construction of new interchange ($10.0 million)
TIER TWO
Route 23 Corridor Study (see above)
I71 Big Walnut interchange (also road widening) ($67.04 million)
TIER THREE (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.
US36/SR37/I71 exit ramps and extension of Sunbury Parkway – Phase B ($18.04 million)
Phase C — Extension of Sunbury Parkway and widening ($51.2 million)
TRAC operates on an annual application cycle. 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:
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.
The TRAC has nine members and is chaired by the Director of ODOT. Six members are appointed by the Governor and one each by the speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives and the president of the Ohio Senate. Members have overlapping terms. The Director provides funds for new construction only after assuring that system preservation needs have been met. The use of the new construction funds is the responsibility of the TRAC, but the TRAC does not have authority over other aspects of the Department of Transportation.
