NEWS

ODOT RELEASES LONG-RANGE INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN
COLUMBUS - ODOT today released ACCESS OHIO 2004-2030 - the plan for state transportation projects in Ohio from now to 2030. Public meetings will be held throughout the state this summer to give Ohioans a chance to review and comment on ODOT's plan.
"This document establishes the departmental direction for the next 30 years," said ODOT Director Gordon Proctor. "It outlines our plan to improve safety and increase mobility on the state highway system." The plan also addresses the state's other transportation needs by looking at ways to improve transit, railroad, waterway, aviation, bikeway and pedestrian travel.
Increasing the safety and efficiency of Ohio's transportation system is the first and most important goal in the long range plan.
The first 10 years of ACCESS OHIO 2004-2030 is outlined in Gov. Bob Taft's Jobs and Progress Plan, released last August. Gov. Taft set the goal of creating a $5 billion, 10-year highway construction plan to ensure the safety, preservation and expansion of Ohio's highways. The plan includes a comprehensive study of the current condition of Ohio's transportation infrastructure along with a 26-year projection of needs for Ohio's roads, bridges, transit systems, bicycle and pedestrian trails, rail systems, airports and waterways.
Hundreds of transportation improvement projects are outlined in ACCESS OHIO 2004-2030. The plan was created from information complied by ODOT, Ohio's 17 Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), local public transit officials, the Ohio Rail Development Commission, the Transportation Review Advisory Council, and many other organizations. It represents billions of dollars of taxpayer investment. Each of the projects recommended is based on a careful transportation planning and engineering analysis and reflects ODOT's best projections of future growth and travel demand.
ODOT welcomes and encourages public comment on ACCESS OHIO 2004-2030. Comments will be accepted through August 20, 2004, and they will be incorporated into the final plan which is anticipated to be completed this fall. Comments can be submitted through ODOT's Web Page, at open house meetings, in writing to the ODOT Office of Urban and Corridor Planning, or by calling 1-866-308-2112 toll free.
How to Submit Comments and Questions
Write to: Access Ohio Comments
Office of Urban and Corridor Planning
Ohio Department of Transportation
1980 West Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43223
Fax to: Access Ohio Comments
614-728-9358
E-Mail: AccessOhio@dot.state.oh.us
By Phone: 1-866-308-2212 (Toll Free) or 1-614-644-7093
In Person: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/planning/ACCESS%20OHIO/PublicOutreach&Involvement.htm
ACCESS OHIO 2004-2030 can be downloaded in PDF format at http://www.dot.state.oh.us/planning. It is also available on CD and hard copy (Paper) at the ODOT Central Office Library, all ODOT District Offices and all MPO offices. If you would like to schedule a presentation, please contact any of these agencies or offices.