Thanks to smart, responsible fiscal management, Ohio will see the largest ever statewide construction season as we invest in our job-creating infrastructure needs and make our communities safer. Many construction projects to improve roads and bridges will be completed ahead of schedule. The Toledo Blade has more:
Ohio Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor announced Tuesday that the state has earmarked $11.2 million for bridge improvement projects in Lucas and Wood counties.
Two Lucas County bridges — on Taylor Road over Otter Creek in East Toledo and on Crabb Road over Shantee Creek in North Toledo — are slated for upgrades totaling $850,000. In addition to the two Lucas County bridges, there are 18 earmarked for repairs in Wood County. Some of the projects will begin this year, while others are scheduled to start in 2015 and 2016.
In all, the state plans to invest $120 million to repair 30 northwest Ohio bridges, with a total of 220 such projects across Ohio, the lieutenant governor said.
The projects, some of which were announced last year, with the list expanded Tuesday, were made possible in part by borrowing against the Ohio Turnpike, she said.
That maneuver generated $1.5. billion, which grew to $3 billion when paired with federal and local funds provided by contributing counties.
“This will be a $2.5 billion state-wide construction season; the largest ever,” she said during a news conference at the Wood County highway garage in Bowling Green.
“We know it will be frustrating at times for travelers,” she added. “But it means jobs and great infrastructure.”
And
Wood County Commissioner Jim Carter said the bridge repairs will play a vital role in his county’s future economic survival. According to the state’s schedule, five bridges in Wood County will be repaired or renovated in 2014, six more will be attended to in 2015, and seven more will be worked on in 2016.
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