Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced Jan. 27, 2025, the award of $8.7 million to support bridge projects as part of ODOT's Local Major Bridge Program. This round of funding will go to modernizing and repairing four local bridges in Franklin, Fairfield, Hamilton and Lake counties.

"Investing in our local bridges builds safer connections and supports our economy by keeping our transportation system moving," said Gov. DeWine. "Every dollar spent on bridge infrastructure is a direct investment in the security and prosperity of our communities."

Since DeWine expanded the definition of a "local major bridge in 2022, ODOT has awarded 24 projects worth a total of $78 million dollars. The Local Major Bridge Program provides federal funds to counties and municipalities for bridge replacement, bridge rehabilitation, bridge demolition and major bridge preventative maintenance projects.

To qualify for the program, the bridge must be a moveable/lift bridge or a bridge having a deck area greater than 15,000 sq. ft. ODOT will fund up to 80 percent of eligible costs for all phases of the projects receiving awards. There is a maximum project cap of $20 million.

"Local communities depend on ODOT funding programs to maximize their infrastructure dollars and ensure their transportation assets are safe and reliable for years to come," said Pamela Boratyn, ODOT director.

ODOT accepts Local Major Bridge applications annually starting Sept. 1 and ending Oct. 15. These funding requests are reviewed by a multi-disciplinary committee with a background in funding, program management, safety, environmental, and bridge analysis.

Projects include:

• Fairfield: CR 33A Major Preventative Maintenance — The project includes painting the CR 33A bridge over Broad Street. Scheduled to begin in 2029; cost: $1,081,620.

• Franklin: Fishinger Road Bridge Rehabilitation — The project includes repainting steel beams, installing new concrete surface and adding a shared-use path on the Fishinger Road bridge over the Scioto River. Scheduled to begin in 2029; cost: $6,556,736.

• Hamilton: Suspension Bridge Road Major Preventative Maintenance — The project includes a new asphalt surface, expansion joint replacement, guardrail replacement and other vital maintenance on the Suspension Bridge Road over Whitewater River. Scheduled to begin in 2029: cost: $932,800.

• Lake: Vrooman Road Major Preventative Maintenance — The project includes sealing the bridge deck of the Vrooman Road bridge over the Grand River and Seeley Road. Scheduled to begin in 2029: cost $176,880.

For more information, visit transportation.ohio.gov.