I wish the Turnpike would remain dedicated for... the Turnpike. You'd otherwise end up with what happened in West Virginia when the Turnpike was merged into the Economic, Tourism and Parkways Authority which led to the construction of the Tamarack and various other political pet projects funded on the back of drivers of an 88-mile toll road - that was ranked one of the worst to drive in the nation due to its horrendous pavement and deferred maintenance. When part of that was uncoupled and the tolls raised several years ago (for the first time since 1988), the new money was dedicated to rebuilding the roadway.

 

Or Pennsylvania, where tolls on the mainline and extension (476) are spent not only on new tolled facilities (like 43, a good venture), but on various state projects. It's raiding.

The R's would explode if they saw any increase in Turnpike money that got used for transit. Is any used now? I forget.

 

Yes, in two locations. ODOT committed $540,000 to the relocation of Elyria's Amtrak station to the Lorain County Transportation Center and it committed to funding 80 percent (but not to exceed $3.2 million) of the cost of expanding the East 105th/Quincy Red Line station with a longer platform and a second elevator/stairwell access tower, this one from the east side of East 105th where the old one was.

How much money are we talking here? The $1 million that was originally proposed in Kasich's budget?

 

$8 million added. Better still, a conversation among lawmakers on a more aggressive approach to funding public transportation has begun. Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) offered an amendment to take $97 million from new federal highway funds and spend  them instead on public transit. The amendment was tabled on a mostly party line vote. The R's effectively swatted down the D amendment, pointing out that 1) the turnpike $ in the Bill cannot be spent on public transit. I don't think that is true, but it couldn't be refuted at the last minute. Secondly, the feds have yet to promulgate rules on how to flex the other source of funds available in the bill. And so it would be premature to start to spend those funds on transit if the feds ruled that would not be available. To be fair, the amendment was sprung on the GOP at the last minute.

 

So $8 million was added to the State's budget for mass transit? That sounds like quite a victory! What does that increase represent in terms of the overall budget for mass transit? Also, any idea where/how this money will be allocated? I know $8 million isn't a ton when discussing a state-wide budget, but I am pleasantly surprised we got any increase at all.

Making its way around the interweb recently...

 

In sharp contrast to ODOT's transport policy over the past 50 years, check out this address by the [Replican] governor or Massachusetts in 1970: http://transitcenter.org/2016/06/22/massachusetts-governor-decides-transit-good-highways-bad/?utm_content=buffercb598&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/us33smc/Pages/default.aspx

 

ODOT will procure 432 strands of high-speed data, fiber optic line to connect the Honda/OSU Transportation Research Center in East Liberty, Ohio and the Ohio Super Computer Center through Dublin, Ohio.  The fiber line will consist of two routes, each about 35 miles long.  One route will be constructed entirely within US33 right-of-way and will serve as an enhanced connection for OARnet and DAS OIT as well as a test bed for connecting Road Side Units (RSUs) to monitor traffic and serve as an enhanced connection between Autonomous and Connected Vehicles and the roadway infrastructure.  The second line will be constructed along state, county, and municipal routes and will serve as a back-up line for the US33 connection as well as a high-speed data link for local governments and businesses.

 

Future projects will provide additional equipment throughout the corridor to further facilitate testing of Autonomous and Connected Vehicles.

 

 

Embedded links are at the PR at:

http://allaboardohio.org/2016/12/14/dear-governor-kasich-fund-transit-now/

 

Dear Gov. Kasich: fund transit now!

 

All Aboard Ohio Joins Effort to Encourage Governor, Legislative Leaders

to Focus on Accessible, Affordable, and Sustainable Public Transit Options

 

December 14, 2016

For Immediate Release

 

Press Release PDF also available on All Aboard Ohio letterhead HERE

 

Led by All Aboard Ohio, today a diverse group of advocates delivered a message to Governor John Kasich, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Ohio General Assembly. The Ohio Coalition for Transportation Equity is made up of more than 40 different stakeholders representing various populations from urban, suburban and rural communities who want to work with Ohio leaders to invest in accessible, affordable and sustainable public transit options.

 

In addition to All Aboard Ohio, the only statewide citizens-based rail and transit advocacy organization, the coalition’s members include representatives from a wide array of interests and backgrounds, including people with disabilities, older adults, environmental groups, bicycling organizations, human service providers, transit agencies, business concerns and faith leaders.

 

The coalition’s letter announces the group’s request to work with the administration to improve Ohio’s public transit system, and details the positive impact that greater investment in public transit will likely have on Ohio’s economy, environment and communities. The coalition’s letter cites ODOT’s 2015 Transit Needs study, which states that ODOT needs $192.4 million in capital and $96.7 million in operating funds just to meet existing demand for public transportation services. An additional $273.5 million in one-time funding is also needed to address system backlog and bring Ohio’s accessible transit fleet to a state of good repair.

 

“Accessible, affordable and sustainable transportation is essential for connecting Ohioans to jobs, education, shopping, health care, and other community assets to be more productive citizens,” said Ken Prendergast, executive director of All Aboard Ohio. “Ohio’s rail and transit users are ready to be a part of the transportation policy conversation, and All Aboard Ohio is pleased to work with such a diverse coalition to ensure that their voices are heard.”

 

According to the Federal Reserve Bank, only one in four jobs in Ohio’s metro areas can be reached within a 90-minute transit trip. The Brookings Institute says this situation is even more serious in smaller Ohio cities because their scant public transportation offerings are less capable of linking jobs and job-seekers. The result is that Ohio has a large labor pool that is under-employed and therefore isn’t fully participating in Ohio’s economy. In turn, that means a bigger drain on public assistance programs and tax dollars while making Ohio labor markets more expensive. Public transportation or public assistance? That will be Ohio’s choice in 2017.

 

###

 

Logos of organizations that signed the letter:

 

 

Alphabetical list of signers:

 

Ability Center of Greater Toledo

Advocates for Ohio’s Future

All Aboard Ohio

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 627 (Cincinnati area)

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 268 (Cleveland area)

American Council of the Blind of Ohio

Americans for Transit

Area Agency on Aging 3 (7 county region in NW Ohio)

Bike Cleveland

Catholic Social Services

The Center for Disability Empowerment

Center for Independent Living Options

The City of Lorain

Clevelanders for Public Transit

Disability Rights of Ohio

Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority

Greater Dayton RTA

Innovation Ohio

Joy Machines Bike Shop

Kirwan Institute

Mid-Ohio Board of Independent Living Environments (MOBILE)

MOVE Lorain County

Motorcars Mobility

National Church Residences – Center for Senior Health

Northern Ohioans for Budget Legislation Equality (NOBLE)

Nuns on the Bus Ohio

Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (o4a)

Ohio Bicycle Federation

Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council

Ohio Environmental Council

Ohio Olmstead Task Force

Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council

Policy Matters Ohio

Senior Transportation Connection

Services for Independent Living, Inc.

SEIU, Local 1

Sierra Club, Ohio Chapter

Southeastern Ohio Center for Independent Living (SOCIL)

Transit Columbus

UH Bikes

The University of Cincinnati, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UC UCEDD)

Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging

Western Reserve Independent Living Center

Women Empowered, Educated, Employed (WE3 Collaborative)

 

###

Scene Magazine

New Powerhouse Statewide Coalition Calls on Kasich to Increase Transit Funding

by Sam Allard  December 15, 2016 at 1:47 PM

 

Wednesday, a broad coalition of Ohio organizations delivered a letter to Governor John Kasich, asking him to increase public transit funding across the state. Ohio's current contribution to public transit, about one percent of its total transportation budget, ranks 47th out of 50 states.

 

"Ohio has done a terrible job funding transit for decades," said Amanda Woodrum, a researcher for Policy Matters Ohio who helped organize the coalition. "The current issues just add insult to injury, and it's raised alarm bells."

 

Woodrum was referencing the particular budget challenges of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA). The local transit system will face deep budget cuts next year — deeper, even, than 2016's — when it loses revenue from taxes on Medicaid services. (You can read intrepid Plain Dealer transit reporter Ginger Christ on that subject here.)

 

But Woodrum told Scene that these issues are being experienced, to varying degrees, at all 60 transit systems across Ohio. There's a perception that public transit is an 'urban' issue, and that it's difficult to persuade rural, Republican legislators that it's important, but Woodrum said that doesn't have to be the case.

 

MORE:

http://m.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2016/12/15/new-powerhouse-statewide-coalition-calls-on-kasich-to-increase-transit-funding

Meanwhile, this task force held meetings with little fanfare or public notice:

 

Ohio House of Representatives - Ohio Senate

The Joint Legislative Task Force on

Department of Transportation Issues

Co-Chairs’ Report

Representative Cheryl Grossman, Co-Chair

Senator Frank LaRose, Co-Chair

December 15, 2016

 

DOWNLOAD:

http://jltft.legislature.ohio.gov/Assets/Files/final-report-2016-jltf.pdf

 

 

I spotted this a few weeks ago but finally got photos of the LED reflector testing along OH 11 at the OH 164 interchange in Columbiana. There are three LED lights per unit and they are flush with the asphalt. My preferences:

 

1. Recessed reflectors, such as what Kentucky now uses. A diamond grinder goes into newly laid asphalt or concrete and carves out a little bit of space where two reflector units are glued in place. The recessed units are not hit by snowplows. The visibility is great, even in wet weather.

 

2. Regular reflectors, as what most states uses. I think ODOT said there was a loss of 30% of reflectors in a given year due to snowplows. They are also replaced every few years or when a road is repaved, so there will be gaps in visibility.

 

3. LED reflectors. These just were not that bright and I think that if brighter units were used, it would have been a tremendous improvement - especially at freeway speeds. There was also not a lost LED unit despite some good snowfalls.

Hmm, for regular highway lane marking, these seem like overkill. It would be cool to see flashing LEDs or at least regular LEDs marking crosswalks in urban areas, though.

Cincinnati area forumers:

 

OKI (Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments) is doing a survey about transportation priorities in the region. Please take a few moments to leave your feedback and upvote the other comments you agree with.

 

https://poll.cityzenapp.us/1921

Money for major Ohio road projects is gone; gas-tax hike proposed

https://www.dispatch.com/news/20190113/money-for-major-ohio-road-projects-is-gone-gas-tax-hike-proposed

 

Here's the 8-page briefing paper from the Fix Our Roads coalition which includes one page on a dedicated fund for public transportation....

http://fixourroadsohio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/16352-FOR-OHIO-Case-Statement-Brochure-Final-182019.pdf

 

It’s funny how all of the sudden we are “out of money” the day before the new governor is sworn in. 

 

 

 

 

Quote

Asked about public transportation, says it’s the “icing on cake” after taking care of other needs.

 

What if the cake is never finished? This just lets them prioritize transit last, as always.

Quote

What are you going to do, drive on dirt roads?

Actually yes, we probably should be strategically decommissioning  low-traffic roads and replacing them with dirt or gravel. Plenty of other Midwestern states have gravel roads, particularly in rural areas. Plus, if you don't have asphalt or concrete, you can't complain about potholes any more. 

I have a feeling we're in for another 4 years (at least) of the same old transportation priorities the state had under Kasich. More highway expansion in rural areas, indifference to road/highway infrastructure in urban areas like the Western Hills Viaduct or Brent Spence Bridge, and a complete apathy towards transit and especially rail.

A must read from Akron's Planning Director. Please read his whole (short) Twitter thread.....

 

 

Edited February 14, 20196 yr by KJP

3 minutes ago, KJP said:

A must read from Akron's Planning Director. Please read his whole (short) Twitter thread.....

 

 

 

We need more Jasons in Columbus and less BFE rural politicians with concrete lobbyists in their pockets.  

I am a big fan of Jason's twitter feed.  I keep wanting to reach out to him to meet and chat. 

Not an "ODOT policy" per se, but a policy that will affect ODOT:

 

Would you pay more at the gas pump if it meant safer Ohio roads and bridges?

 

The Ohio state gas tax sits at 28 cents per gallon, lagging behind four out of five neighboring states' gas tax rates. Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania and West Virginia all top Ohio -- Pennsylvania actually charges the nation's highest gas tax rate, at nearly 59 cents per gallon -- while Kentucky trails Ohio at 26 cents per gallon. The last time Ohio increased its fuel tax rate was in 2006.

 

Ohio was able to avoid this shortfall once before, in 2012, when then-Gov. John Kasich approved bonds issued against turnpike toll revenue, primarily generated in the northeast region of the state. That funding will run out by the end of this year.

AND

 

Apparently, with the currently proposed legislation to increase the gas tax, school districts would be exempt for paying the gas tax but transit agencies would have to pay. So, not only does Ohio provide basically no funding for its transit agencies, now it's going to tax bus riders to pay for highways.

 

Not to mention they are planning to devote $250 million/year to “Major New” projects aka capacity aka road widening.

It sounds highly likely that the transit issue will be fixed, to rebate transit agencies like school buses.

 

 

I thought ODOT had announced a few years ago that they were trying to shift away from new construction and direct their dollars into maintenance, but it sounds like that paradigm shift hasn't occurred. 

21 minutes ago, BigDipper 80 said:

I thought ODOT had announced a few years ago that they were trying to shift away from new construction and direct their dollars into maintenance, but it sounds like that paradigm shift hasn't occurred. 

 

They did, at least internally.

 

At the time they acknowledged that with the current funding and current cost of maintenance, in the near future all funding would have to be directed to maintenance just to keep up.

 

Unfortunately, I don’t think an overall change in vision occurred...it was moreso just facing reality. I get the sense now that with additional funding it’s back to the old ways.

 

This makes no sense of course. Not only is it a waste of money, it keeps exacerbating the overall maintenance costs. I’m really hoping with this new tax requests, the legislators put more scrutiny on ODOTs funding priorities.

ODOT is focused on preservation first, and has consistently reported that 90%+ of its funding has gone to maintenance activities over the last few years. Safety is another major priority in their spending, improving intersections, etc.

 

Locals still want expansion projects, however, whether it be the Portsmouth Bypass, Cleveland Opportunity Corridor, new interchanges, etc. Political forces mean these projects still occur here and there, but I don't think we're seeing new highway development (like a bunch of new limited access corridors) as we once did.

 

ODOT/TRAC has been asking local communities to bring more local dollars to the table to make these projects happen. When you see an expansion project, even on the state system, there's a good chance the funding is broader than ODOT. Many new/expanded interchanges are substantially local funded. Mainline interstate widening is usually just ODOT, but many times these occur with larger preservation/reconstruction projects (Columbus or Cleveland innerbelt rebuild, reconstruction of 71 thru Morrow County, etc.).

 

The interstates/innerbelts through most cities have or are being completely rebuilt. These projects are incredibly expensive, and many times have a positive impact on the city streets, such as the caps in Columbus. I don't think we'll see these improvements continue without additional state funding such as the proposed gas tax.

 

 

What you’re saying is true, yes. And I’m not arguing against the gas tax increase, as new revenue is sorely needed. I’m just saying funding priorities need to be scrutinized.

 

When our existing infrastructure is in such poor condition, why are we spending a billion dollars for the 16 mile Portsmouth bypass, or the unnecessary 3rd valley view bridge, or multiple new lanes of 271...plus all of the noise walls that come with it?

 

And that’s not even touching transit.

24 minutes ago, Enginerd said:

When our existing infrastructure is in such poor condition, why are we spending a billion dollars for the 16 mile Portsmouth bypass, or the unnecessary 3rd valley view bridge, or multiple new lanes of 271...plus all of the noise walls that come with it?

 

 

I've said it before and I'll say it again -- any new infrastructure project should be evaluated for its cost, including its lifecycle maintenance costs to replacement.   That would greatly inform our "can we afford it" analysis.

 

 

https://www.dailystandard.com/archive/2019-02-27/stories/37144/state-rep-tax-hike-too-much-at-once

 

Not sure this is the best place to discuss the proposed increase in the gas tax (Ohio Politics?), but it seems like it would impact ODOT Policy.

 

Quote

State rep: Tax hike too much at once

 

Quote

DeWine's administration on Thursday recommended increasing the state gas tax by 18 cents to 46 cents per gallon beginning July 1 and annually adjusting that tax for inflation to provide sufficient funding to maintain roads and bridges.

 

The tax would generate roughly $1.2 billion the first year and would be split among the Ohio Department of Transportation and local governments to begin addressing a recently discovered roadwork funding deficit.

 

"At first glance 18 cents still seems too high," Manchester said in an exchange on Monday with Mercer County Board of Elections members. "That's a pretty drastic increase from what we've had before."

 

Quote

"I am sure there are other places in the state budget where we can make some cuts to help with this situation," she said. "It's hard for me to believe that we just have to automatically increase taxes in order to have enough revenue to fix this."

 

One cost savings could be achieved through House Bill 78, she said.

 

House Bill 78 would give local decision makers the option of not participating in prevailing wage laws, according to a news release from Riedel. Current prevailing-wage mandates kick in at $250,000 for local capital projects.

 

"Oftentimes the prevailing wage is above the market rate in these areas," she said. "I think that as a local-control issue and even as a cost-savings measure, if we were able to make prevailing wage permissive - that would allow a lot of these counties and townships the ability to save money that could go toward (road and bridge) improvements."

 

Ah yes, "think of how much more we could do if we just didn't have to pay people to do it."

On 2/26/2019 at 2:06 PM, KJP said:

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, DarkandStormy said:

https://www.dailystandard.com/archive/2019-02-27/stories/37144/state-rep-tax-hike-too-much-at-once

 

Not sure this is the best place to discuss the proposed increase in the gas tax (Ohio Politics?), but it seems like it would impact ODOT Policy.

 

Ah yes, "think of how much more we could do if we just didn't have to pay people to do it."

 

You should have bolded the sentence right before that. What's wrong with letting ODOT pay market rate for projects?

 

Quote

"Oftentimes the prevailing wage is above the market rate in these areas," she said. "I think that as a local-control issue and even as a cost-savings measure, if we were able to make prevailing wage permissive - that would allow a lot of these counties and townships the ability to save money that could go toward (road and bridge) improvements."

 

4 minutes ago, Mendo said:

 

You should have bolded the sentence right before that. What's wrong with letting ODOT pay market rate for projects?

 

 

 

Because "market rate" might be below a living wage (see Walmart) and the state is better off if more residents earn at least a living wage (see stories of Walmart employees on food stamps). 

6 minutes ago, Foraker said:

Because "market rate" might be below a living wage (see Walmart) and the state is better off if more residents earn at least a living wage (see stories of Walmart employees on food stamps). 

 

I don't see a problem with looking at ways to cut costs, in addition to the gas-tax increase.

59 minutes ago, Mendo said:

 

I don't see a problem with looking at ways to cut costs, in addition to the gas-tax increase.

 

The way they should be cutting costs is to avoid expensive & pointless projects that increase maintenance costs, not reducing workers pay.

 

Any project with federal-money is required to pay prevailing wage anyway, which is the majority that ODOT sells.

53 minutes ago, Enginerd said:

 

The way they should be cutting costs is to avoid expensive & pointless projects that increase maintenance costs, not reducing workers pay.

 

Any project with federal-money is required to pay prevailing wage anyway, which is the majority that ODOT sells.

 

There is no reason a government entity shouldn't have the same ability to control costs as private industry.** Anything else just breeds laziness and inefficiency.

 

But if, as you said, federal funding requires prevailing wage, its a moot discussion.

 

 

**edit: After thinking about this some more, I'm okay with things like "buy American" clauses in government contracts when there are reasonable alternative for goods or services. So it's not fair to say a government and private entity should be entirely the same. Local labor is one thing I feel they should have more flexibility with.

Edited February 28, 20196 yr by Mendo

 

Great news thanks to Senator Skindell and others. Doubling the funding for transit is good. Quadrupling is what's needed. The $70 million would be for capital improvements/projects/purchases. Additional funding is needed for operating costs otherwise we'll have some new shiny buses but not enough drivers and mechanics to run them......

 

 

Edited March 6, 20196 yr by KJP

I have to admit I'm amazed that transit got any sort of increase at all from our state legislature.  It's great and unexpected news!

It's because the transit advocacy community got their sh!t together and joined forces. About 40 organizations have united under MOVE Ohio, plus the chambers in Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati (they're not in MOVE Ohio) have each made transit one of their top legislative priorities this year.

Great job, then!  Be squeaky, get grease!

$70M?  That's nothing. (yes, I know its more than 33.) How much of that would go to each of the 3C's not to mention all the other systems? How does ODOT decide how much each transit authority gets?

The $33 million comes from the feds and most of the funding is awarded through ODOT's Ohio Transit Preservation Partnership Program. Guidelines and funding awards:

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/Transit/Programs/Pages/OTPPP.aspx

 

The remainder mixes with states funds in the Urban Transit Program (UTP) and Elderly & Disabled Transit Fare Assistance Program (E&D):

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/Transit/Pages/Urban.aspx

 

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/Transit/Pages/ElderlyDisabled.aspx

The Ohio House of Representatives' Finance Committee has passed the gas tax bill with $100 million per year in flex funds to transit!

 

There are also some additional flexible provisions to this bill which shall become clearer in the coming days. We have a little bit farther to go, but suffice it to say this is a great step foward in improving public transportation in Ohio!

Edited March 7, 20196 yr by KJP

The next step is to protect this victory in the Senate and then get at least $50 million per year in operating funding from the General Revenue Fund budget.

 

After all, it would look pretty bad to have $100 million worth of new busses, trains, infrastructure and facilities without having enough drivers, mechanics, utilities and other resources to operate them.