Funding for Major Projects Approved by ODOT’s Transportation Review Advisory Council

COLUMBUS - The Ohio Department of Transportation's (ODOT) Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) has approved investing $123.1 million into 11 major transportation projects in 8 counties over the next four years.

The list includes $103.6 million for construction on 6 projects in Tier I:

• $35 million in fiscal year 2027 for roadway improvements to the ODOT-maintained interchange and ramps at I-71/Snow Road in Brook Park, Cuyahoga County.
• $5.3 million in fiscal year 2027 for roadway enhancements on SR 172 in Canton, Stark County.
• $10 million in fiscal year 2027 for light rail track reconstruction for the Greater Cleveland Rapid Transit Authority in Cuyahoga County.
• $17.6 million in fiscal year 2027 for roadway improvements for the Dayton International Airport Northeast Logistics project in Montgomery County.
• $27 million in fiscal year 2028 for a new Diverging Diamond Interchange at I-75 and Millikin Road in Butler County.
• $8.7 million in fiscal year 2028 for roadway widening/enhancements on Alum Creek Drive in Franklin County.

TRAC also approved $19.5 million for additional project development funding on 5 projects listed in Tier II:

• $3 million in fiscal year 2027 for improvements at the I-71 and I-270 interchange on the north side of Columbus in Franklin County.
• $1.5 million in fiscal year 2027 for roadway and interchange improvements at SR 315 and Lane Avenue, in Franklin County.
• $5 million in fiscal year 2027 for improvements at the US 23 and Orange Road intersection in Delaware County.
• $4 million in fiscal year 2027 for a new roadway/new alignment of the Bluegrass Parkway extension in Fayette County.
• $6 million ($3 million in fiscal year 2028 and $3 million in fiscal year 2029) for improvements to the interchange at I-70 and I-675 in Clark County.

A total of 27 projects applied for funding in this cycle.

"The demand for major infrastructure projects that improve safety, enhance connections, and fuel economic development continues to grow across the state," said ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn. "The projects approved by the TRAC today align with ODOT's mission to strengthen local, regional, and national mobility.

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:

• Tier I - The group of projects recommended for construction during the upcoming four-year construction period.
• Tier II - The group of projects recommended for additional environmental, design or right-of-way development activities necessary before the projects would be available for construction.
• Tier III - The group of 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.

About TRAC:
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.