Strickland names Jolene Molitoris new ODOT director Posted by Aaron Marshall/Plain Dealer Columbus Bureau Reporter January 22, 2009 14:29PM

 

 

 

Jolene Molitoris

 

 

COLUMBUS — Gov. Ted Strickland announced today that he is tapping Jolene Molitoris, the current assistant of the Ohio Department of Transportation, to become the new ODOT chief effective Jan. 30.

 

The 67-year-old will become the first woman to head the state's transportation department and will replace current ODOT Director James Beasley, who will retire at the end of the month.

 

 

 

The Dublin woman has been a pioneer before when she served as the first woman to head the Federal Railroad Administration under President Bill Clinton.

 

 

"From her work in Washignton and Ohio, Jolene is nationally recognized for her leadership in the transportation industry," said Strickland in a statement relased by his office. "Our continued investment in infrastructure is critical if we want to put Ohioans back to work and stimulate our state's economic recovery. As ODOT director, Jolene will continue Jim's dedication to building Ohio's transportation system for the 21st century and beyond."

 

  In the release, Molitoris is quoted as saying that she looks "forward to working closely with our public and private partners to truly transform transportation and move Ohio into a prosperous new world."

The Morning Journal (morningjournal.com), Serving Northern Ohio

Opinion

 

'OUR VIEW' EDITORIAL: Ohios new ODOT director just the ticket for rail traffic

 

Monday, January 26, 2009 7:00 AM EST

 

Gov. Ted Strickland has made a good choice in Jolene Molitoris to lead the Ohio Department of Transportation.

 

Wed ask one thing of her help bring commuter rail to Lorains Black River Landing.

 

Molitoris, 67, of Dublin, has been serving as assistant director under ODOT chief James Beasley, who retires on Jan. 30. She also chairs the Ohio Rail Development Commission and was the first woman to head the Federal Railroad Administration during the Clinton administration.

 

Strickland has pushed ODOT to consider all modes of transportation: highway, rail, waterway, transit, aviation, bicycle and even pedestrians.

 

With federal stimulus dollars by the millions expected soon, expanding commuter rail travel throughout the state should be a top priority.

 

 

........

 

URL: http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2009/01/26/opinion/doc497da5c612e10706347570.prt

Oh my, she is 67 YEARS OLD?

If you've ever met her, you'd never know it.  She does not at all look or act her age.  Very energetic and a sharp mind for transportation issues.

She has more energy than I have...

She could run six of us right into the ground. Also very dynamic, focused and driven. While it remains to be seen what a difference she will make in policy matters (fingers crossed), there is no question that she has what it takes for the job.

 

 

This article could probably go in several places.

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/02/gov_stricklands_transportation.html

 

Gov. Strickland's transportation plan: more tolls, costlier car registration, cross-state train

Posted by Karen Farkas

ODOT can install tolls on its existing state highways (e.g. OH 161) where no federal monies were used, but cannot on existing interstate highways unless the state pays the federal government their share of the construction costs with inflation. Other states, such as Pennsylvania, have tried this in vein but have failed. It's a good idea, and one that I support, if we can somehow override the FHWA regulation on the tolling of existing interstate highways...

I think that the revamped I-75 through Cincinnati should be tolled.

Sherman, does that mean that the Ohio government would have to remunerate the federal government for construction costs from 50 years ago if they wanted to put tolls on the interstate highways?  Is that what I am hearing? 

 

Did the toll-plan for I-80 in PA fail to meet federal approval?  I recall that the federal government had to weigh in on it.  I didn't like the "toll gate every 30 miles" plan, but I think they should have put up a few on the long stretches between urban areas.  I would place one just east of Mercer & I-79 and one near Clearfield or Snowshoe, obvious choke-points for long distance travel.

Yes, ODOT would need to pay the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) the original construction costs of XX years ago, including inflation, to put tolls on existing interstate highways.

 

There are exceptions, but they are very few and for extraordinary situations. The West Virginia Turnpike was originally two-lanes, but was upgraded to four-lanes at an extremely high cost. For years, prior to the completion of the widening in 1988, Interstates 64 and 77 simply ended at both ends of the turnpike, and was labeled merely as "TO Interstate 64 / 77." Since the costs of widening was so high, the federal government chipped in a lot of money to complete the project, but allowed the Turnpike to continue charging tolls to retire the old debts.

 

The toll plan for Pennsylvania's Interstate 80 failed to meet FHWA approval. The same can be said for South Carolina's application for Interstate 95 -- and both are excellent examples of interstates that feature predominately through traffic from other states.

 

It would be nice if we can toll existing interstates without having to wrangle through the FHWA, but oh well.

 

As for tolling in urban areas, it would only exaggerate congestion in Cincinnati if we were to toll Interstate 75. Yeah, we can use transponders and install high-speed toll lanes, but you still need 'exact change' coin buckets for those who do not have transponders -- which is most of the population. For the most part, the east and northeast use "EZ-PASS" for electronic toll collection, but Oklahoma uses "OK-PASS," and Florida uses "SUN-PASS." And none work with each other. There is a push to nationalize toll collection so that "EZ-PASS" works everywhere (it is the largest such system), but you still can't mandate everyone to install one in a car that links to a credit/debit card.

 

Rural areas, I am fine with.

The widening of I-75 in Cincinnati could feature a toll lane, but the project is so far along in development that it is doubtful that ODOT would want to change course at this time (would require a revised environmental document and public involvement, plus doubt it would fly politically in Cincinnati).

 

Toll lanes do not necessarily have to accept cash, nor even be barrier separated. I-394 in Minneapolis was an under-used HOV lane that was converted to a HOT lane...purely electronic tolling. 

Well you could elevate a toll road above the interstate, but that would require every interchange to be modified.

One of the proposals early on in the Interstate 75 rebuilding project was to add elevated lanes, although this would have been prohibitively expensive -- tolled or not, and would have required every interchange, bridge, overpass, etc. to be demolished and rebuilt. There were also major aesthetic issues for that as well.

Keep in mind that with EZ-Pass technology, it may not be necessary to radically redesign a roadway project.

Unfortunately, the building of the interstate system eliminated a number of the old inter-city toll roads. Wasn't 8 between Cleveland and Akron an old toll road? Virginia has a number of old toll roads that became part of the 95 system.

 

I would rather shrink 75 between Cincy and Dayton and create a set of Toll Lanes out there than to try to do something in-town.

Unfortunately, the building of the interstate system eliminated a number of the old inter-city toll roads. Wasn't 8 between Cleveland and Akron an old toll road?

 

If you mean old Route 8 (a two-lane road which still exists), I hadn't heard that. But if you're talking about new Route 8 (a divided highway), that's always been a free route. And it was built post-war on the right of way of the former Northern Ohio Traction & Light electric interuban railway that linked Cleveland and Akron with 80 mph trains.

Uhhh...and the new highway was an improvement over the interurbans how....?

 

Another example of how "progress" doesn't always mean progress.

The interurban was gone for 20 years when the highway was built. But if you are the preacher I am the choir... :)

And it was built post-war on the right of way of the former Northern Ohio Traction & Light electric interuban railway that linked Cleveland and Akron with 80 mph trains.

That's just way too depressing.

Gasoline tax is wrong way to pay for transportation

Saturday,  February 7, 2009 3:08 AM

Columbus Dispatch Letters to the Editor

 

Last spring, Gov. Ted Strickland appointed me to serve on the 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force. During the course of serving on the task force's economic development subcommittee, we had dozens of meetings and hearings both in Columbus and around the state. We were enjoined not to engage in a management critique of the Ohio Department of Transportation. But at no time did ODOT explain to the task force how or why it was running out of money.

 

........

 

GENE KREBS

Co-director

Greater Ohio

Columbus

 

http://dispatch.com/live/content/editorials/stories/2009/02/07/Krebs__SAT_ART_02-07-09_A7_NLCQGUF.html?sid=101

For those interested, the link below has information on the recent ODOT budget for 2010-11.  It contains budget testimony and a powerpoint made by Director Molitoris. 

 

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Legislative/Pages/2010-2011StateTransportationBudget.aspx

Ohio Governor Wants Toll Road Options

 

Last Update: 2/15 3:18 pm

http://www.local12.com/news/local/story/Ohio-Governor-Wants-Toll-Road-Options/WMPb-kQHCUWr0wIIK2OG7g.cspx

 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Gov. Ted Strickland is asking Ohio legislators to allow state transportation officials to charge tolls for new roads and bridges.

 

The proposal to charge tolls, which could raise revenue for construction while easing congestion, are part of the governor's proposal for the upcoming two-year budget. Tolls would not apply to existing roads, Strickland said.

 

........

Here's a potential use of the stimulus money which could be applied statewide, in addition to the 3-C Corridor rail project. Even opening the passenger rail route via Youngstown as a placeholder for future Ohio Hub service might not trigger a significant environmental review as all improvements are within current/former rail rights of way....

 

All Aboard Ohio's Fix-It First report is at:

http://members.cox.net/ohiohsr/Fix-It_First_Ohio_Rail-08.pdf

 

And our PowerPoint presentation is at:

http://members.cox.net/kjprendergast/Fix-It%20First.pdf

 

Communities and ODOT/ORDC would need to express their desire for pursuing stimulus funding for these projects and right-of-way purchases would need to happen within the next 60 days, starting tomorrow with Obama's signing of the law.

KJP - those are good and worthy ideas but I don't know of any agency with the wherewithall to spend the money in such a short timeframe, because there are no projects programmed (yet) and no environmental work completed. Still, railbanking the corridors should have been done long ago (or at least programmed in MPO TIPs, or ODOT STIP) so that we could take advantage of funding now.

The environmental work depends on the type and scope of the project.  If the projects do not require additional ROW that certainly shortens the environmental work to be done, regardless of the project type.  The one issue that could arrise with some of the station improvements is getting through the historical documentation.  If any of the stations are "historical" that could create some headaches.  The TIP and STIP can be amended; in fact, I'd say there will be quite a few TIP and STIP amendments coming down the pipeline given the schedule that is to be adhered to. 

KLF, the game has changed dramatically in just the past week. This is the relevant section of the stimulus bill which will be signed into law tomorrow. Please note the timeframes of the $8 billion pot of money and that all of this is relevant and applicable to Ohio, but only if we apply for it...

___________________

 

Division A, Title XII-Transportation.

 

The Federal Railroad section has two items:

 

1. Amtrak $1.3 billion:

<$450 million is for Amtrak capital security grants>

<$850 million for Amtrak>

+ Priority for equipment rehab;

+ No use for operating;

+ Money to Amtrak within 30 days;

+ Projects completed within 2 years;

+ Supplement not supplants;

+ Written agreement and compliance;

+ 60 percent in the NEC; and

+ $5 million to the Amtrak Inspector General.

 

2. Capital Assistance for High Speed Rail Corridors and Intercity Passenger Rail Service $8 billion:

They have combined three programs all found in PRIIA (PL110-432).  Those programs are High Speed (501), Intercity Corridors (301), and Congestion (302). 

 

+ The funds are available until Sept 30, 2012.

 

No fixed amount is specified for the individual programs.  Rather, a process is established to develop an orderly implementation of the provision:

 

+ Within 60 days USDOT OST must provide a strategic plan outlining how the funds will be used;

+ Within 120 days US DOT OST must provide interim guidance to applicants provided for each of the three types of grants;

+ US DOT OST shall waive the requirement of a state rail plan;

+ 100 percent federal funds;

+ Labor protection and other requirements; and

+ 1 percent for US DOT oversight.

There is no mention of any TIP requirement.

 

PLUS......

 

Passenger and Freight Rail Projects are Eligible for Highway Funds-Surface Transportation Funds (USC 23 section 133)

 

Passenger and Freight Rail Projects are Eligible under the US DOT Secretary’s Discretionary Program

 

+ Funded at $1.5 billion

_____________

 

Thus, I encourage all of you in various Ohio communities along passenger rail routes, either current or proposed, to learn the policies and procedures of the stimulus funding, especially the $8 billion pot. Again, this is 100 percent federal funding. You may never see this opportunity again.....

Strickland wants toll option for new roads

AP, February 16, 2009

 

COLUMBUS - Gov. Ted Strickland is asking Ohio legislators to allow state transportation officials to charge tolls for new roads and bridges.

 

The proposal, which could raise revenue for construction while easing congestion, is part of the governor's upcoming two-year budget. Tolls would not apply to existing roads, Strickland said.

 

"There's much more of a direct nexus with who pays and who benefits," said Robert Poole, director of transportation studies for the Reason Foundation, a nonprofit economic think tank in Los Angeles. "The other advantage is you don't have to wait 10 or 20 years to pull together enough money to do a big project."

 

.......

 

See below... The subcommittee's hearings last week were a hit. Many organizations and companies testified (most of whom were there to testify for 3-C Corridor trains), including All Aboard Ohio, Transportation Matters, Ohio Environmental Council, Ohio Rail Development Commission, Amtrak and many many more. There were so many witnesses testifying that the overflow waiting area outside the hearing room overlowed -- into the hallway. The big hit of last week's hearings was Amtrak, whose Midwest Government Affiars Officer Derrick James' comments caused raised eyebrows among the subcommittee members. He was asked to come back the next day (Feb. 19) to answer more questions, which he did.

 

Please don't assume that, since many organizations are coming forward to speak, they are necessarily speaking for you. Legislators need to hear from all of you, even if you're saying the same thing. It's called reinforcing the message. And now you have more opportunities to call, write or testify....

__________________

 

NOTE:  The full Ohio House Finance and Appropriations Committee has scheduled more testimony and a vote on the Transportation Budget Bill.

There could be as few as two hearings (on Tuesday and Wednesday) with a vote Wednesday...or there MAY be another hearing and vote on Thursday...and maybe even on Friday.

Only Tuesday's and Wednesday's hearings are for sure, though.

 

OHIO HOUSE FINANCE AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

Tue., Feb. 24, 2009, 1:00 PM, Hearing Room 313

* Office of Budget and Management to testify on HB1.

* HB2  TRANSPORTATION BUDGET (UJVAGI P) Make appropriations for programs related to transportation and public safety for the biennium beginning July 1, 2009, and ending June 30, 2011.    Second Hearing, Proponent & Opponent Testimony, AMENDMENTS/SUBSTITUTE BILL

 

 

OHIO HOUSE FINANCE AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

Wed., Feb. 25, 2009, 9:30 AM, Hearing Room 313

* The Office of Budget and Management will testify in the morning. The committee reconvenes at 1 p.m. to hear testimony on Medicaid and the Department of Job and Family Services, and for testimony on HB2, the transportation budget.

* HB1  BIENNIAL BUDGET (SYKES V) To make appropriations for the biennium beginning July 1, 2009, and ending June 30, 2011 for the operation of state programs.

        First Hearing, Invited Testimony

* HB2  TRANSPORTATION BUDGET (UJVAGI P) Make appropriations for programs related to transportation and public safety for the biennium beginning July 1, 2009, and ending June 30, 2011.  Third Hearing, Proponent & Opponent Testimony, AMENDMENTS/SUBSTITUTE BILL/POSSIBLE VOTE 

OHIO HOUSE FINANCE AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

Thu., Feb. 26, 2009, 9:30 AM, Hearing Room 313

IF NEEDED

* HB1  BIENNIAL BUDGET (SYKES V) To make appropriations for the biennium beginning July 1, 2009, and ending June 30, 2011 for the operation of state programs.

      Fourth Hearing, Invited Testimony, PENDING REFERRAL

* HB2  TRANSPORTATION BUDGET (UJVAGI P) Make appropriations for programs related to transportation and public safety for the biennium beginning July 1, 2009, and ending June 30, 2011.  Fourth Hearing, Proponent & Opponent Testimony, AMENDMENTS/SUBSTITUTE BILL/POSSIBLE VOTE

 

 

OHIO HOUSE FINANCE AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

Fri., Feb. 27, 2009, 9:30 AM, Hearing Room 313

IF NEEDE

* HB2  TRANSPORTATION BUDGET (UJVAGI P) Make appropriations for programs related to transportation and public safety for the biennium beginning July 1, 2009, and ending June 30, 2011.  Fifth Hearing, Proponent & Opponent Testimony, AMENDMENTS/SUBSTITUTE BILL/POSSIBLE VOTE

Transportation gets $935.7 million boost

Federal stimulus to be spread among state, local projects

Wednesday, March 4, 2009 3:14 AM

By Mark Niquette

 

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

The Obama administration said yesterday that $935.7 million in stimulus money is coming to Ohio for highway construction and other transportation projects, but many of those seeking funding are likely to be disappointed.

 

That's because by yesterday's deadline, more than 3,000 potential projects totaling as much as $9 billion were submitted for consideration to a state Web site by Ohio counties, cities, towns and other groups.

 

.......

 

http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/03/04/stimulus_highway.ART_ART_03-04-09_B2_6ND45CJ.html?sid=101

Announced today. See the list here:

 

http://www.dispatch.com/wwwexportcontent/sites/dispatch/local_news/stories/2009/03/26/statewide_list.pdf

 

Note that this list does not including the $8 billion pot of stimulus money for passenger rail. There is $7 million in planning/environmental funds included for the Ohio Hub. Upon completion of the environmental review for Ohio Hub corridors, those corridors will become eligible for federal construction funding either through the $8 billion in stimulus or from the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act passed last fall.

News reelease from Transportation Matters:

 

Governor Announces Priority Transportation Projects to be Funded by Federal Recovery Act Resources

149 Projects Projected to Create 21,257 Ohio Jobs

 

Columbus, Ohio - Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced that 149 transportation infrastructure projects have been prioritized for full or partial funding from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act resources.

 

"We have identified projects that will put thousands of Ohioans to work quickly," Strickland said.  "But to make the best use of these resources, we must also leverage them to create tomorrow's opportunities.  In addition to distributing the federal transportation stimulus resources broadly to provide Ohioans in every region with an opportunity to participate in the economic recovery, we are also targeting funds to develop unique regional economic assets.  Doing so will strengthen the state's infrastructure system while also bolstering each region's economic vitality in immeasurable ways."

 

Federal transportation stimulus funds totaling $774 million will be spent in nearly every Ohio county. Based on federal calculations for transportation investment, an estimated 21,257 jobs will be created or retained through these stimulus projects, with thousands of additional jobs likely to be spurred by the economic development that will occur as a result of the projects.

 

When combined with Recovery Act funds allocated under Ohio's Rural Transit Program, stimulus investments will be made in 87 of Ohio's 88 counties. (Noble County, the remaining county, did not submit a federally-eligible transportation stimulus project; however the state will be investing more than $9.7 million in non-stimulus transportation funds over the next year.)

 

"Without the leadership of President Obama and the members of Ohio's Congressional Delegation who supported this bill, we would not have this unprecedented opportunity to invest in Ohio's infrastructure" Strickland said.

 

A full list of priority transportation projects and other information about the state's transportation infrastructure investments can be viewed HERE.

 

Recovery Act (stimulus) Transportation Infrastructure Project Investments

 

In addition to selecting projects which met standard federal transportation requirements and Recovery Act guidelines, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), the Ohio Rail Development Commission and the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) collaborated to prioritize many of the 149 projects that meet both the critical infrastructure needs of each region and promote lasting economic growth.

 

"The Recovery Act resources have put Ohio in a unique position to seize new opportunities and build toward a stronger, more cohesive transportation system in the future," Strickland said.  "Consistent with the 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force recommendations, these projects will move Ohio toward a more multi-modal system of transportation that links Ohio's businesses, highways, railways, transit and ports into an advanced and efficient network for moving goods and people," Strickland said.

 

As part of the state's $774 million stimulus investment, ODOT will invest $603.5 million into 113 separate roadway projects.  Of those 113 projects, $242.9 million is dedicated to 30 bridge projects, and $360.6 million to 83 pavement projects.

 

ODOT will invest $34.5 million into five maritime projects, including major enhancement projects at the Port of Toledo and the City of Lorain's waterfront development along Lake Erie, and along the Ohio River at the South Point Intermodal Facility in Lawrence County, and the Wellsville Intermodal Facility in Columbiana County.

 

An additional $68.9 million will be directed to 22 separate railroad projects, mostly targeting the state's busy freight rail system.

 

The state will invest $50.9 million to support improved intermodal connections, including $14 million at Franklin County's Rickenbacker Intermodal Terminal and Global Logistics Park, and $6.5 million at Toledo's Airline Junction Intermodal Terminal to connect freight shipments by air, rail, and truck.

 

The remaining funds (approximately $16.2 million) will be directed to additional planning and engineering, as needed.

 

Among the highlights of these investments:

 

In the City of Cleveland, ODOT is addressing the state's most-pressing transportation concern by targeting $200 million in stimulus funds, combined with approximately $200 million in additional state and federal dollars, to build a new five-lane westbound I-90 Innerbelt Bridge. At the same time, the state will invest $20 million to advance the planning and design of the Opportunity Corridor, a proposed 3.3-mile urban roadway to connect I-490 to the growing University Circle.

 

In Cincinnati, the state will invest a total of $23.5 million in stimulus funds to assist in development of the Riverfront Banks Project and the nearby Intermodal Transit Center. In Columbus, $25 million will widen and improve Parsons and Livingston Avenues as part of the expansion of Nationwide Children's Hospital, one the country's best pediatric health care hospitals.

 

And in Southeast Ohio, ODOT will expedite construction on the final two phases of the three-phased Nelsonville Bypass by investing $150 million in stimulus funds.  Phase one of this new four-lane roadway carrying U.S. Route 33 between the cities of Nelsonville and Logan began last year. Under previous planning, these final two phases were not scheduled to begin until after 2012.

 

Other notable projects include: $11 million for the Vine Street railroad grade separation project in Lima to prevent trains from blocking access to the city's south side; $8 million dedicated to improvements in Akron along the Main Street Corridor and the new Bridgestone Tech Center; a $6 million intersection close to the I-75/Austin Pike Interchange near Dayton and improvements to the Downtown Dayton Gateway.

 

As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Ohio will also receive $29.8 million for Rural Public Transit capital projects, including dollars set aside for rural intercity bus capital projects. Combining the Recovery Act dollars with Ohio's annual federal transit funding, ODOT will be able to fund every rural transit system request for new vehicles.

 

Recovery Act dollars will also fund critical facility, equipment, and technology needs, allowing Rural Public Transit systems to upgrade from the use of paper and pencil to schedule vehicles and allow the agencies to be more agile and responsive in providing services to Ohioans who rely upon them every day.

 

Last year, Ohio's 35 Rural Public Transit providers offered more than 2.3 million rides to Ohioans in 36 rural counties. In rural areas, where distances are long to reach essential services, the people who use the system tend to be more transit dependent. They may be unable to drive a car, have no access to a car or cannot afford to operate the car they own. In 2007, over 45% of all riders on Rural Public Transit in Ohio were either elderly or people with disabilities. At some transit systems in Ohio this can be as high as 80%.

 

"Investing Recovery Act resources to expand our state's robust multimodal network enhances Ohio's strengths in accommodating for a diversity of business interests," said Mark Barbash, Interim Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "Meaningful, targeted investments in infrastructure and transportation spur both near-term and sustainable economic growth, rendering in our state an interconnected network of unique assets that link Ohio businesses and people."

 

 

ODOT Planned Construction/Capital (non-federal stimulus) Investments

 

These stimulus projects will add to the more than $2.1 billion in capital/construction projects ODOT already has planned to undertake over the next 15 months (through state fiscal year 2010). That includes nearly $1.6 billion in investments through the end of this calendar year, encompassing more than 650 transportation projects in each of the state's 88 counties.

 

Many of these non-stimulus projects will soon begin construction, as part of the department's annual maintenance and modernization efforts identified in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). This includes 36 interstate projects and 125 bridge projects on the state's highway system. The ceremonial start to ODOT's 2009 Construction Season is set for April 7th, although a number of construction projects are already active.

 

"These projects speak to the important transportation needs of our communities, while creating jobs and positioning Ohio for long-term economic growth and stability," said Ohio Transportation Director Jolene Molitoris.

 

Combined, the stimulus resources and the Department of Transportation's planned state construction spending will total more than $2.8 billion.  Together, those investments will create or retain an estimated 79,637 jobs based on federal calculations for transportation investment.

 

 

Prioritization Process and Federal Requirements

 

Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the federal government allocated approximately $935.7 million to Ohio through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for transportation projects. Of that amount, $161.5 million was directly sub-allocated, based on federal formula, to Ohio's major metropolitan planning organizations (Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Toledo, and Youngstown).

 

To identify projects to be funded with the remaining $774.1 million, the state established the www.recovery.ohio.gov website, which allowed Ohio communities, municipalities, businesses and other entities to submit transportation project proposals. More than 4,600 highway, transit, rail and aviation project expressions of interest were submitted through the Web site.

 

Mirroring a similar team at the US Department of Transportation, ODOT established an Ohio TIGER Team (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) to gather in-depth information from local communities on potential projects. After accepting expressions of interest from February 10 through March 3, the ODOT TIGER Team requested additional information from project sponsors on all 4,602 projects. Of that amount, 3,257 funding applications were returned.

 

The ODOT TIGER Team then reviewed those applications to determine federal eligibility and readiness to proceed with the project. Only 2,222 projects met the FHWA Title 23 federal eligibility guidelines set forth in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

 

In addition, prioritization was based on criteria established by the FHWA for consideration during project selection: that priority be given to projects in economically distressed areas (characterized by high unemployment and low average income); projects that maximize job creation and economic growth; and projects which could be advanced and completed within certain timeframes.

 

Under the Recovery Act, 50 percent of the state's transportation stimulus funds must be obligated and assigned to specific projects by June 29, 2009; the remaining amount must be obligated and assigned to specific projects by March 1, 2010; and the majority of all projects must be constructed by March 1, 2012.

 

To assist in determining job creation potential, the state used a standard Federal Highway Administration calculation - which estimates that for every $1 billion in transportation investment, 27,800 jobs are created - on every project, no matter its location in the state. Using this standard, it is estimated that these stimulus investments alone will generate 21,257 jobs as a result of project construction. Additionally, the Ohio Department of Development predicts thousands of new jobs will be spurred by the economic development that occurs as a result of the projects.

 

 

Next Steps

 

The stimulus-funded projects which are not already on the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) will be added, after the federally-required public involvement process and approval by regional Metropolitan Planning Organizations, where needed. ODOT will begin accepting public comment on stimulus projects not already on the STIP.

 

Governor Strickland stressed the importance of ensuring accountability and transparency in the subsequent contracting of projects funded through the Recovery Act.  And he reiterated his support for the establishment of a new, independent, non-partisan deputy inspector general position with authority to monitor distribution of federal recovery resources in Ohio to ensure taxpayers have full confidence in the stimulus process.

 

"As we put these Recovery Act resources to work quickly and efficiently, we must continue our commitment to taxpayer accountability," Strickland said.  "Every project selected for funding will be identified online.  Every contract will be selected in a fair and transparent manner and subject to careful scrutiny.  And we will require recipients of stimulus resources to account for how every dollar is spent."

 

The governor also recognized the importance of providing all Ohioans with access to opportunities to participate in the recovery.

 

"We will follow the letter and the spirit of the law in providing all Ohioans with the broadest possible access to the opportunities that these resources provide," Strickland said.

 

The State of Ohio will require recipients of Recovery Act resources to post any new job opportunities at both www.OhioMeansJobs.com and Ohio's "One-Stop" sites.  At least one site is located in every Ohio county.  One-Stops provide a variety of training services and match job seekers with employment opportunities.

 

 

Other Transportation-related Recovery Act Resources Not Distributed by the State:

 

Metropolitan Planning Organizations

 

Other transportation-related Recovery Act resources have been directly allocated to local communities. Specifically, a total of $161.5 million has been directly allocated to local Metropolitan Planning Organizations.

 

In the coming weeks, ODOT will be working with the Ohio's eight major Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to certify their lists of proposed stimulus investments, to support additional transportation investments and economic growth throughout Ohio. The MPO sub-allocations include $14.1 million to Akron, $6.6 million to Canton, $30.1 million to Cincinnati, $44.2 million to Cleveland, $28 million to Columbus, $17.4 million to Dayton, $11.8 million to Toledo, and $9.3 million to Youngstown. The boards of many of these MPOs have already approved local stimulus project lists.

 

 

Urban Transit Grants

 

Ohio will be receiving approximately $150 million in stimulus funds through the Federal Transit Administration specifically directed toward urban public transit.

 

Ohio's 24 Urban Public Transit systems provide access to jobs, reduce traffic congestion, give individual mobility choices and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.  In Ohio, over 60% of all trips on urban public transit are work-related. Overall, transit ridership in Ohio was up 4% in 2008 over 2007 figures.

 

With more than 30% of its fleet beyond useful life, Ohio's Urban Public Transit systems will be able to use the $150 million recovery funds directly allocated to the transit agencies to purchase new vehicles which emit fewer pollutants and reduce operating costs. By directing stimulus funds to capital purchases, local transit dollars can also be redirected at covering operating costs (which cannot be paid for with federal funds).

 

 

--30--

©2009 TransportationMATTERS

1313 Dublin Road | Columbus, OH 43215

[email protected]

Does anyone know how and why the Athens area got 100 million more from the stimulus than SW Ohio's district 8?

Does anyone know how and why the Athens area got 100 million more from the stimulus than SW Ohio's district 8?

 

Might be because the Nelsonville bypass was "shovel ready." It was ready to go when construction costs soared in 2003 - 06 timeframe and it had to be delayed (only the first phase was put out to bid). It might also qualify as an economically distressed area, which ODOT was trying to address per the legislation. Finally, Governor Strickland promised to build the Nelsonville bypass when he was campaigning for governor.

Sorry, no web link.

_________

 

*Ohio Leaders Express Support for Ohio PIRG's Transportation Initiatives*

 

*Ohio is Committed to Solving America's Transportation Problems*

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Josie Cowell (262-707-5311; [email protected])

 

 

(April 17, COLUMBUS) The Ohio Public Interest Research Group (PIRG)

announced today a list of Ohio legislators, government officials, and

organizations that have signed on in support of Ohio PIRG's 21^st

Century Transportation for America campaign. Such support is critical

now more than ever, because the Federal Transportation Budget, signed in

August of 2005, will expire late this summer. Ohio PIRG, along with the

other state PIRGs, is urging Congress to pass a new bill that will

allocate more of the federal transportation funding to building and

improving a transit infrastructure across the country. This bill will

control spending on transportation in the U.S. for the next 6 years.

 

Ohio PIRG aims to see a transportation budget adopted that expands clean

efficient transportation choices for Americans by prioritizing

investment of new capital funds for light rail, commuter rail, rapid bus

service, high-speed intercity rail and other forms of modern public

transportation, while encouraging the development of dynamic and

accessible communities in Ohio, where Ohioans can walk, bike, or take

transit where they need to go.

 

The highway infrastructure that we do have in place and that we

currently rely on just to get around is in jeopardy. Ohio PIRG urges

that America fixes our crumbling roads and bridges by investing more

federal highway money in maintenance, not massive new highway projects.

It is time to embrace an approach to highway spending that prioritizes

maintaining and modernizing out existing highways over building more.

 

Supporters of the 21^st Century Transportation for America Campaign also

urge both Congress and the Ohio government to spend taxpayers' money

more wisely by focusing transportation dollars on solving our nation's

biggest problems. For decades the federal government has spent billions

of dollars on highway projects with little evaluation and no

accountability. Ohio PIRG and those that support the campaign know that

these practices must change. Federal transportation money should be

spent only on projects that produce real results over the long haul.

 

Signed on in support of the campaign are:

 

    * Mayor Michael Coleman, Columbus

    * Representative Kenny Yuko, 7^th Ohio House District

    * Representative Robert Hagen, 60^th Ohio House District

    * Representative John Domenick, 95^th Ohio House District

    * Representative Dale Mallory, 32^nd Ohio House District

    * Representative Marian Harris , 19^th Ohio House District

    * Representative Mike Foley, 14^th Ohio House District

    * Representative Tracy Heard, 26^th Ohio House District

    * All Aboard Ohio

    * Ohio League of Conservation Voters

 

Ohio's transportation system is in trouble, as are those systems all

across the nation. America's dependence on cars for transportation is

the number one cause of out addiction to oil and a major contributor to

global warming and air pollution. Americans waste millions of hours each

year on congested roads in increasing poor repair. America as a whole

must move toward a new transportation future for the 21^st century that

enhances out economy, national security, public health, environment, and

quality of life. By supporting Ohio PIRG's campaign for significant

changes in the way this nation funds transportation, Ohio leaders are

demonstrating a vested interest in developing a new transportation

system that reduces our dependence on oil, curbs global warming

pollution, alleviates congestion, improves safety, and supports healthy,

sustainable communities in Ohio and across the nation.

 

--

Josie Cowell

Program Associate, Ohio PIRG

203 E. Broad St. Suite 3

Columbus, Ohio 43215

Office:614.228.1447

This just in.......

 

Summary of changes proposed to Ohio House Bill 1 -- the proposed new

two-year state Operating Budget:

 

TRANSPORTATION

• Increase funding for Public Transportation by $6 million in FY 2010

and FY 2011

• Eliminates requirement that three wheeled vehicles with fewer than 50

cc piston displacement

obtain a motorcycle endorsement

• Creates a Division of Equal Opportunity in the Dept. of Transportation

• Provides funding for the completion of a barge operator feasibility

study for the Southeastern

Ohio Port Authority

• Creates an Amnesty provision for the Toledo Port Authority due to a

Supreme Court reversal of a

tax exemption

• Requires the Dept. of Public Safety to implement an Online Fleet

Licensing program if feasible

"Eliminates requirement that three wheeled vehicles with fewer than 50 cc piston displacement obtain a motorcycle endorsement."

 

Too bad this does not extend to two-wheeled <50cc variants.

$6 million isn't much spread between all the state transit agencies, but its a step in the right direction.

http://www.timesleaderonline.com:80/page/content.detail/id/510456.html

 

Transportation funding issues targeted

By MICHAEL SCHULER, Times Leader Staff Writer

 

POSTED: April 24, 2009

 

ST. CLAIRSVILLE - The president of TransportationMATTERS met with local officials Thursday at Belmont Technical College to discuss transportation issues facing the state and local communities - including aging roads, rail and water transportation.

 

Heading the meeting was Bill Habig, president of TransportationMATTERS, a group that was formed to unite all transportation advocacy groups with the goal of improving transportation and increasing funding for all modes of transportation to create a "world-class" system of mobility for both business and residents.

 

According to Habig, one of the issues facing the state right now is how the Ohio Department of Transportation is funded. While the state collects about 28 cents on every gallon of gas for ODOT, that funding is used solely for highways, which is one of the issues he addressed.

 

.............

The last two paragraphs of the above article suggest Transportation Matters isn't as supportive of rail as they claim earlier in the article. I think building a mini-turnpike only for trucks along I-70 between Pennsylvania and Kansas and presumably using scarce public dollars to do it is a poor choice.  I would like to learn more about the cost of this project, how it might be funded, how expensive it would be to build roads that can handle the 100,000-pound-plus weights, and what requirements there would be for commercial vehicles to use these lanes.  I have never heard anyone suggest that the Ohio Turnpike is congested, but when the OTC raised tolls several years ago, trucks simply took parallel routes to avoid paying the higher tolls. The state was forced to subsidize the Turnpike in order to get the trucks back on that route.  If diesel reaches $4 a gallon or more, will we really need interstate truck-only lanes?

 

What prevents the public from paying for these new lanes and then a majority of the trucks continuing to use the existing lanes to avoid paying tolls that the trucks feel are too high? It’s a nutty idea given where we are today.  I am glad to know this is an idea TM is putting out there.

Remember, the group is Transportation Matters...not Rail Matters or Highways Matter.  I know Bill Habig very well and know him to be an avid supporter of both passenger and freight rail.  But the "umbrella" of the group he now heads is large and so, as a result, the group's "pitch" must be broad.  I like the fact that Transportation Matters is at least raising the level of debate over the Ohio Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax and how its revenues are spent...or, shall we say, prevented from being spent.

That doesn't excuse them from advocating 20th-century ideas like truck lanes (which weren't needed in the 20th century either), which I don't recall were in the governor's transportation priorities report.

 

But if TM can convince the voters of Ohio to give ODOT a blank check to keep increasing the gas tax nine cents every year to keep doing the same old thing, then they richly deserve a nice reward like an endless I-70 road project. Still, the most disappointing thing to me about the story -- assuming that it is fairly accurate -- is that Habig presents the overriding issue as one of how we fund ODOT rather than what our transportation priorities ought to be. What is their vision?? Answer that, and then TM can determine the funding needs.

That doesn't excuse them from advocating 20th-century ideas like truck lanes (which weren't needed in the 20th century either), which I don't recall were in the governor's transportation priorities report.

 

But if TM can convince the voters of Ohio to give ODOT a blank check to keep increasing the gas tax nine cents every year to keep doing the same old thing, then they richly deserve a nice reward like an endless I-70 road project. Still, the most disappointing thing to me about the story -- assuming that it is fairly accurate -- is that Habig presents the overriding issue as one of how we fund ODOT rather than what our transportation priorities ought to be. What is their vision?? Answer that, and then TM can determine the funding needs.

 

The Strickland administration showed strong support for the I-70 truck lane concept, and some individuals associated with Transportation Matters are part of the I-70 study team. In Ohio, the idea of truck lanes is a bit of a pipe dream, as there is not much congestion on the route. Don't fear that public resources will pour into such a project -- it won't happen without tolls, and since the lanes aren't warranted, it won't happen at all.

And if the truck lanes are built and tolls are put on them, I suspect you'll see a repeat of the Ohio Turnpike situation where trucks left the turnpike and instead used Route 2, US20, US6, SR10 and other "free" roads that parallel the turnpike. ODOT ended up having to subsidize the Ohio Turnpike Commission so the tolls could be reduced and bring the trucks back.

 

I just don't see how this works on I-70, not when the State of Ohio owns a competing railroad line parallel to I-70 that could be upgraded for higher capacity. Plus, I suspect two abandoned sections (Wheeling-Pittsburgh at 40 miles and Dayton-Indianapolis at 110 miles) could be restored for less money than what may be necessary to build the I-70 truck lanes. There's cause to even restore the abandoned NYC/PRR Columbus-Dayton trackage so that the existing tracks could become passenger-only for high-speed 3-C service. Throw in some new or expanded intermodal terminals at various locations between Pittsburgh and Kansas City and you've just built your truck lanes -- except that they're paved with tracks instead of concrete.

 

Wonder if CSX and NS would be interested in a shared-assets right of way, at least from Columbus to Indianapolis?

Restoring the Dayton to Indy portion of the Panhandle Line would be a tall order... as portions of it have been bulldozed and reclaimed.  Too bad, as it was a grade separated right of way for the most part and would have made an excellent HSR line.  The Pennsy was able to run 90 MPH-plus on portions of it..even with steam locomotives, from what I am told.

 

 

Yep. It would be a big expense. So would truck-only lanes. I vote for the former. :)

Since this is something that could impact transportation planning, I thought it best to post it here.

 

Trucking Faces Core Changes, Hebe Says

By Jonathan S. Reiskin, Associate News Editor

 

This story appears in the April 27 print edition of Transport Topics.

 

OXON HILL, Md. The entire North American trucking industry is in the midst of a fundamental reshaping, which will lead to flat tonnage levels for fleets and fewer truck manufacturers producing much more expensive vehicles and mostly in Mexico, said a senior executive of Navistar Inc.

 

James Hebe, the truck makers senior vice president for North American sales operations, said at the American Truck Dealers annual meeting here on April 20 that, although the current recession started in late 2007, truckings downturn began a year earlier.

 

........

 

 

http://www.ttnews.com/articles/printnews.aspx?storyid=21792

I spent several years in this industry and its demise is bittersweet for me.  City-centric rail freight seems a lot more sensible going forward.  Most in trucking could see the writing on the wall many years back.  Deregulation made it very cutthroat and led to the "you can't make money running legal" conundrum.  Customers have been less than understanding about diesel price swings, and of course as in any industry, the larger competitors are better suited to ride these waves than the small businessmen are.  Also of note... trucking provides opportunity to a lot of people who are so socially crippled they don't hold up well in other fields.  We don't necessarily want some of these guys/gals in the general workforce.

Agreed.  I've had several sources in the trucking industry tell me that the hardest job to fill is for long-haul drivers.... they say people don't want to be away from home for long stretches and the cost of diesel is also a factor.  I can't imagine being an independent driver right now.

The socially crippled folks I referred to are the ones usually sought for long haul duties.  If you're a people person, or even a normal person, that job just doesn't work for you.  It requires a distinctively non-people person, someone who doesn't have much of a home and doesn't care when they get back to it.

 

Maybe these people can become the new frieght train crews!  Unfortunately that won't employ all of them...