In House Bill 2, the Ohio Department of Transportation Budget Bill that was passed earlier this year, Greater Ohio worked with legislative leaders, specifically Rep. Peter Ujvagi (Toledo), to insert language requiring ODOT to complete a study looking at the cost to maintain state routes within city limits. We recognize that these costs are a heavy burden on our cities and are hopeful that ODOT will take a serious look at taking back the maintenance of state routes.
The Ohio Department of Transportation Central Office is working with its District Offices to compile the report, and we strongly urge you to meet with your local ODOT Deputy District Director to share your budget costs in this area and provide input on the study. You may wish to include your mayor, city councilperson, state senator and state representative, and your economic development official as part of this meeting. We think it is also important to share your funding priorities, assuming this money is freed up at the local level, which may include funding of city police and matches for multi-transit projects. ODOT is required to complete the report by December 15, 2009, so timing is critical
If you need further information to make your visit more productive please let us know. Also, after you have met with your District Offices we would like to hear your feedback and encourage you to contact us.
Actual language requiring the report from House Bill 2:
SECTION 755.50. The Department of Transportation shall compile and produce a report on the financial and policy implications of the Department assuming primary responsibility for all state routes throughout Ohio regardless of local government jurisdiction. The report shall review the range of possible participation in the paving and maintenance of these routes by the Department. The Department shall submit the report to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the Senate, and the Governor not later than December 15, 2009.