June 15, 2009: The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) recently awarded over $36.9 million in American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) funds for construction projects. This creates new jobs and helps hundreds of workers retain their construction-related jobs. So far, ODOT has awarded more than $83.9 million in ARRA contracts for work on 52 projects which includes interstate, local roadway and bridge modernization projects.
ODOT's original announcement of ARRA-funded projects included $57 million to plan and design regional long-term projects, such as the Cleveland Opportunity Corridor, Cincinnati Eastern Corridor, and the Ohio Hub High Speed Rail Plan. Most of the $57 million in ARRA stimulus funding (approximately $30 million) will be invested in nine additional state roadway and bridge projects. The remaining ARRA funds will go to existing ODOT transportation projects.
Also, Ohio will receive about $180 million in transit-specific funds through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The first project will be in Toledo, where the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority will invest $8.5 million for buses. More projects are expected.
What this means for employers? This is a great opportunity for companies in the construction industry and those that support the construction. Work is also available for firms that provide materials and equipment used in highway construction. Engineers and surveyors should also see additional opportunities.
Read more information about the economic stimulus in Ohio.