The Central Ohio Rural Planning Organization (CORPO) has available for public comment a list of proposed transportation projects slated to receive $1,091,970 in federal funding during state fiscal years 2024 and 2025. Public review and comments on the proposed projects will be accepted through April 19.
Earlier this year, CORPO solicited projects to receive transportation funding within its planning area, covering seven counties: Fairfield, Knox, Madison, Marion, Morrow, Pickaway and Union counties. Funds may be used for construction, expansion, reconstruction, preliminary engineering, right of way or preservation of roads and bridges on any public road; capital costs for public transit and bus terminals; bicycle and pedestrian facilities; and other transportation-related activities.
“We are excited to be able to provide these essential transportation funds through CORPO to projects that will benefit these communities,” said MORPC Transportation Director Nick Gill.
Six funding requests were received from five agencies within two counties in the CORPO transportation planning area. The CORPO funds selection committee evaluated the submissions to determine alignment with the adopted CORPO Transportation Plan goals and objectives. As a result, funding has been recommended for four of the submissions at full request and one submission at partial request.
The proposed projects for funding commitment include intersection modification for the Village of Plain City, Plain City Uptown Intersection Modification ($42,000); reconstruction for the City of Mount Vernon, Edgewood Road Improvements ($150,000); bridge replacement for Madison County Engineer, MAD-CR0004-09.07 over Opossum Run ($287,688.28); bicycle lanes for the Village of Gambier, Gambier Trail Connection ($99,200.00); and transit capital maintenance for the Knox Area Transit, KAT Transit Facility ($500,000).
The draft list of projects recommended for funding is available on at morpc.org/corpo. Printed copies of the draft listing are available upon request by calling MORPC at 614.233.4138. Approved projects will be incorporated into the Transportation Improvement Program for the appropriate fiscal year. The Transportation Improvement Program is a financially balanced listing of federal, state and locally funded projects that are scheduled for some phase of implementation or development in a four-year period.
In addition to the proposed projects to be funded, CORPO collaborated with MORPC to develop a draft Safety Action Plan for its seven-county area and is seeking public comment on the draft plan. As part of this effort, CORPO sought public and stakeholder feedback regarding local road safety issues and opportunities to help identify key priorities for the plan. The planning process reviewed crash data and conditions for all roadway users, such as motorists, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
“Ensuring the safety and efficiency of our transportation systems is paramount,” said MORPC’s Active Transportation and Safety Program Manager Lauren Cardoni. “This Safety Action Plan reflects our commitment to safeguarding the well-being of all residents in our communities.”
Public comments on the recommended transportation projects and the Safety Action Plan can be submitted via e-mail to CORPO@morpc.org or in writing to:
Mary Turner, Senior Planner
Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
111 Liberty Street, Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43215
CORPO will consider final approval of both the funding commitments as well as the Safety Action Plan on May 6.
