$2.3 Billion To Be Spent On Ohio Road Projects In 2017

CLEVELAND, OH - Construction season is upon us and the Ohio Department of Transportation has announced a nearly record-breaking number of projects. ODOT will spend $2.3 billion on projects for the state's roads and bridges in 2017. In 2014 and 2015, ODOT spent $2.4 billion on state construction projects.

This year's projects will see 6,945 miles of roadway paved and the repairing or replacing of 1,281 bridges. In total, there will be 1,098 projects, 26 of those projects will cost more than $10 million.

“Since Governor John Kasich took office, we have invested an unprecedented $14 billion in Ohio’s infrastructure,” said ODOT Director Jerry Wray in a statement. “Our transportation network is Ohio’s greatest man-made asset, and it is our duty to ensure it is in the best condition possible. That’s why 93 cents of every dollar we’re spending on roads and bridges this year will go to preservation.”

Additionally, 191 projects will be focused on making roadways safer. The state says there has been an uptick in traffic deaths throughout the state over the past three years.

“We have seen an increase in the number of traffic deaths in Ohio over the last three years, and we are working hard to reverse this disturbing trend,” Wray said.

With the number of projects going on, particularly in areas that are already considered dangerous, drivers will need to be extra cautious this year. Last year, there were 6,041 crashes in work zones, which led to 28 deaths, 186 serious injuries, and 810 minor injuries.

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