AASHTO Journal - Ohio DOT Issues Nearly $9M to Local Bridge Projects

The Ohio Department of Transportation recently issued $8.7 million to support a swath of local bridge projects across the state.

[Above photo by the Ohio DOT]

That funding – which comes from the agency’s Local Major Bridge Program – will go towards modernizing and repairing four local bridges in Franklin, Fairfield, Hamilton, and Lake counties.

The agency said the Local Major Bridge Program provides federal funds to counties and municipalities for bridge replacement, bridge rehabilitation, bridge demolition, and major bridge preventative maintenance projects.

To qualify for the program, the bridge must be a moveable/lift bridge or a bridge having a deck area greater than 15,000 square feet. Ohio DOT funds up to 80 percent of eligible costs for all phases of the projects receiving awards, with a maximum cap for each project set at $20 million.

“Investing in our local bridges builds safer connections and supports our economy by keeping our transportation system moving,” said Governor Mike DeWine (R) in a statement. “Every dollar spent on bridge infrastructure is a direct investment in the security and prosperity of our communities.”

Since Governor DeWine expanded the definition of a “local major bridge” in 2022, Ohio DOT said it has awarded a total of $78 million to 24 bridge projects.

“Local communities depend on Ohio DOT funding programs to maximize their infrastructure dollars and ensure their transportation assets are safe and reliable for years to come,” noted Pamela Boratyn, Ohio DOT’s director.