ODOT Offers Multiple Transportation Funding Opportunities for Local Communities

By Tim Biggam, The Montrose Group

Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Jack Marchbanks rolled out the renewal of Ohio’s one-stop-shop autonomous vehicle and innovative mobility division, DriveOhio with the signing of an executive order. With the re-issuance of DriveOhio, Governor DeWine and the Ohio Department of Transportation are signaling their commitment to make Ohio a leader in 21^st century mobility.

With a mission focused on Safety, Mobility, Access, Reliability, and Talent, DriveOhio will continue to work not only on attracting autonomous vehicle technology to Ohio, but also ways to use technology to improve infrastructure, driver safety, and the state’s regulatory framework to promote innovative mobility applications.

DriveOhio isn’t the only thing Ohio is doing that is forward looking. Earlier this year Ohio made a commitment to maintaining strong roads and bridges through the increase in the motor fuel tax. Ohio is poised to expand its reputation as a state who cares about maintaining and improving road and bridge infrastructure, while also looking to the future for new more innovative ways to move goods and people in the state.

Also, recently the Ohio Department of Transportation through the Transportation Review and Advisory Council (TRAC) recently announced the approval of $1.1 billion over the next four years for major transportation projects across the state. The funding includes approximately $400 million for new projects. Increased investment in this area of the state’s transportation system is a direct result of the action taken by Governor DeWine and the Ohio General Assembly earlier this year to increase Ohio’s motor fuel tax. TRAC funding is highly competitive and is updated once per year with the process beginning in late spring each year. This past year TRAC received request for additional funding for $920 million in new projects, ultimately approving just $400 million or slightly under half of the requested amount.

TRAC isn’t the only program ODOT funds roads and bridge projects. Each quarter ODOT issues a list of projects the department is prepared to fund and begin construction with. These projects generally are related to maintenance and operations of the existing road and bridge infrastructure, including upgrading existing Interstates, U.S. routes, and State routes throughout Ohio. ODOT on average funds approximately $1.5 billion in maintenance and operations projects each year.

Ohio’s focus on high quality roads through policy’s which provide stable funding and technology through the Ohio Department of Transportation presents opportunities for technology and engineering firms who share a similar innovative approach to solving the state’s traffic and road infrastructure needs.

Please contact Tim Biggam, tbiggam@montrosegroupllc.com or Dave Robinson, drobinson@montrosegroupllc.com if you need assistance in gaining transportation funding from the Ohio Department of Transportation or other local, state or federal government programs.