ODOT director: Delays not due to gas-tax use

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Ohio’s transportation director says proposed delays for millions of dollars in road and bridge projects are not the result of differences in the use of federal gasoline taxes paid by residents.

At issue is the federal fund for transportation improvements nationwide. The Columbus Dispatch reports Ohioans pay more into the fund each year than Ohio gets in return.

That adds up to a loss of $1.5 billion over the past decade for Ohio. It’s one of 24 states that pay a larger share that’s given to the remaining states.

Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jerry Wray says that policy is outdated but isn’t to blame for the recently proposed delays.