Ohio – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Jack Marchbanks have revealed a slate of over a dozen transportation initiatives aimed at bolstering job growth and retention across the state.
A total investment of nearly $5 million will be channeled into 14 projects under the purview of the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Transportation Improvement District program.
Governor DeWine highlighted the importance of aligning Ohio’s transportation infrastructure with its burgeoning economy. “As Ohio’s economy continues to grow, our transportation system must keep pace. These projects will help create and retain jobs by ensuring that businesses can safely and efficiently carry out their work and transport products,” remarked Governor DeWine.
The funding, administered by the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Office of Jobs and Commerce, is allocated to initiatives that foster job creation and retention, facilitate economic development, promote intergovernmental cooperation, and attract private capital investment statewide.
The projects earmarked for funding encompass a variety of improvements, including the construction of roundabouts, turn lanes, pavement enhancements, intersection upgrades, and drainage improvements. These endeavors are projected to support 22,735 jobs and attract over $3 billion in private sector capital investments.
Of the allocated funds, $4.1 million will finance construction endeavors, while the remainder will be allocated towards securing right-of-way and undertaking preliminary engineering and design work. The bulk of the projects target roadways maintained by local governments, including municipalities, township trustees, and county engineers. Each project is capped at receiving $500,000 per fiscal year.
“Ohio is within a day’s drive of 60 percent of the U.S. and Canadian population. When it comes to logistics, we’re the heart of it all. These projects will ensure that we maintain that status,” emphasized ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks.
Pickaway County is also set to benefit from a $350,000 investment as part of a US-23 Construction Project. This project, slated for 2026, will focus on constructing northbound and southbound turn lanes at the intersection of US 23 and SR 316, as well as a two-way left turn lane through the Village of South Bloomfield. The US-23 corridor serves as a vital workforce pipeline to Columbus, and these enhancements aim to facilitate smoother traffic movements and support economic growth in the region.
