This week’s #GOPCThread takes a look at potential infrastructure projects around Ohio which could benefit from the Infrastructure Innovation and Jobs Act, or IIJA.

Not on Twitter? The Thread is available online, as well as below.

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This week's #GOPCThread examines potential infrastructure projects #Ohio could invest in as part of the record, one-time funding the state will receive as part of the recently enacted federal infrastructure bill, or #IIJA

The historic infrastructure bill provides more than $500B in new spending on everything from broadband internet infrastructure to roads & bridges. The other $700B is a continuation of funding programs & priorities established in the 2015 FAST Act

#Ohio is slated to receive nearly $13 billion in funding under the #IIJA (8th among all states). While not all allocations are currently available, we do know some of the funding allotments #Ohio will receive

With this record funding in mind, we decided to take a look at potential projects that could benefit from this historic funding. Some of these projects may be funded w/ state funding, while others may come from the 39% of #IIJA that will be awarded competitively

One of the top projects on everyone's mind is the Brent Spence Bridge in Cincinnati, which carries I-71 & I-75 across the #OhioRiver to No. Kentucky.  The bridge was designed to carry 85,000 vehicles per day, but in 2006 it carried 150,000 vehicles per day.

There has been talk of replacing the bridge since at least 2008, and in late 2020 the bridge was closed for more than a month following a fiery accident involving two semi-trucks, one of which was carrying caustic chemicals

Last week, the White House announced that the bridge was included on a list of bridges slated to receive direct funding, calling the bridge dangerously outdated chokepoint for trucks & emergency vehicles between Ohio & Kentucky

Ohio's waterways will stand to benefit from the $17B in funding available to support coastal resiliency & flood control along w/ improvements to locks & dams on the Ohio River, dredging ports & upgraded capacity along the lake

.@GCRTA's ongoing work to make needed improvements and replace aging rail infrastructure is another potential beneficiary of #IIJA funding

More than just roads & bridges will be funded under #IIJA. One project that could benefit is the @SanduskyBayPath, a 12-mile boardwalk & bike path that will span the waterfront from downtown Sandusky to Sheldon Marsh, connecting w/ Cedar Point

Locally, cities & counties can look to recent projects from past infrastructure funding for transformational ideas on ways to invest funding. @CityofKentOhio utilized a TIGER grant in 2010 to improve its downtown streetscape & improve transit access

Another example is Akron's Main Street Project, featuring a green corridor, street & sidewalk improvements, including mid-block ped. crossings, on-street parking, dedicated buses/delivery vehicle lanes, a cycle track, smart LED lighting & new signage

In Columbus, @MORPC, @COTABus along with the city & county are working together on @LinkusColumbus, a comprehensive mobility initiative, which includes high capacity rapid transit, bikeways, green space, roadway & pedestrian improvements & development along key regional corridors

You can learn more about the @LinkusColumbus on this #GOPCThread we published back in October. With $7.2B available nationally in grants for recreational trails & other transportation alternatives, the corridor project could benefit from these funds

Athens Stimson Avenue corridor is another project cities can model, as the city has worked to make the corridor more attractive to potential developers & pave the way for more redevelopment

Cities may also want to consider street conversions, making 1-way streets 2-way. Conversions help reduce speeds & vehicle miles traveled (less circumnavigation of multiple streets to reach destinations) & provide improved conditions & access for cyclists

There are myriad ways that this record funding can be invested once it starts flowing into the state, and GOPC will continue to track & provide updates as to the progress of #IIJA and support its investment in all modes of transportation