New Projects Continue Commitment to Deliver Plan

COLUMBUS, Ohio (December 21, 2006) – The Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) approved the draft list of major new projects for 2008 – 2013 Wednesday. The list includes $60.2 million for the development of two new major projects and the construction of four new projects. The draft project list will be subject to a 90-day public comment period before the TRAC votes on the final list in spring or early summer 2007.

“The projects that were advanced address regional concerns in terms of safety and mobility for the state,” said Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Gordon Proctor. “These are the key elements of Governor Taft’s Jobs and Progress Plan, and these projects continue our commitment to deliver the Plan despite the increased cost of constructing projects due to inflation.”

Gov. Taft’s Jobs and Progress Plan, which was unveiled in 2003, is Ohio’s largest transportation initiative since the original creation of the interstate highway system. The plan devotes $5 billion to Ohio’s highway network, rebuilding urban freeways and completing corridors to connect rural regions.

The new projects advanced for construction include the Akron Multimodal Transportation Center, the widening of State Route 104 in Ross County, the Interstate 77/County Road 80 interchange project in Tuscarawas County and the first phase of the Portsmouth Bypass in Scioto County. The projects are regional priorities that will also improve safety, mobility and connectivity of the transportation system statewide.

ODOT typically works on a six-year construction and planning cycle, adding a year of new projects annually. This round of TRAC funding commitments covers the 2008-2013 timeframe and includes total commitments ranging from $386 million a year to a historic high of $810 million.

The TRAC was created by the Ohio Legislature in 1997 to oversee fair distribution of transportation funds.

Click here for a complete draft list of the projects receiving funding. The draft project list will be subject to written public comments until March 20. Write: TRAC Coordinator Kim Killian, c/o ODOT, 1980 W. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio 43223.

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For general TRAC information, contact , TRAC Administrator, at (614) 466-8963.
For media inquiries, contact , ODOT Communications, at (614) 644-7101.