ODOT to partner with Ohio’s Small Cities to preserve Roads and Bridges
Applications also being accepted for future Transportation Enhancement Projects

COLUMBUS (January 7, 2008) – As part of its continuing effort to assist local communities with important roadway and bridge preservation efforts, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is accepting funding applications for future Transportation Enhancement, Small City Transportation Program, and Municipal Bridge Program projects.

These three programs provide federal funding for a variety of transportation infrastructure projects throughout the state and allow ODOT to partner with more of the state’s smaller cities - typically those cities in rural areas and with limited transportation dollars - in addressing the needs of aging local roads and bridges.

ODOT’s Transportation Enhancement Program – aimed at smaller cities outside of larger Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) – annually provides approximately $11 million for projects that enhance the transportation experience by improving the cultural, historic, aesthetic and environmental aspects of transportation infrastructure. This also includes dollars for projects aimed at pedestrian and bicycle trails.

Since 1992, ODOT has invested more than $148 million in federal Transportation Enhancement funds to pedestrian and bicycle trail projects.

Under the Small City Transportation Program, ODOT provides up to 80% of the construction cost for projects located in cities with populations of 5,000 – 24,999 that are not located within an MPO boundary. Currently, there are 58 Small Cities statewide that meet these criteria.

Under the Municipal Bridge Program, ODOT provides up to 80% of the construction cost on bridge replacement or rehabilitation projects that meet certain state and federal requirements.

Competition for these limited federal funds has increased. Last year, cities submitted 42 different projects for funding through the Small City and Municipal Bridge Programs, totaling nearly $42 million in requests. Only 17 projects were selected.