Ohio launches local bridge replacement program

Ohio launches local bridge replacement program

columbus

Ohio will invest $120 million to repair and replace more than 200 county and city-owned bridges over the next three years, Gov. John Kasich announced.

The funds are available because of reducing overhead costs and improving efficiency at the Ohio Department of Transportation, the governor said.

Work is expected to begin on the first 40 bridges next year. ODOT will work with local officials to identify the remaining bridges to repair or replace in the following years.

Bridges will be selected based on factors including safety and importance to local jobs creation.

“When we took office Ohio faced not only an $8 billion shortfall in our general budget but also a $1.6 billion shortfall in our highway budget,” Kasich said. “ODOT tightened its own belt, freed up more than $600 million and then Ohio leveraged the turnpike to generate an additional $1.5 billion, which grows to $3 billion when paired with federal and local funds.”