Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Pamela Boratyn on Thursday announced $137.5 million in funding for 55 new traffic safety projects in 41 counties across the state.
The funding awards are part of Ohio’s Highway Safety Improvement Program, which invests more per capita in roadway safety than any other state.
“Ensuring the safety of Ohio’s roadways is always one of our top priorities,” said Governor DeWine. “Whether you’re driving or walking, we want every Ohioan to get where they’re going safely.”
Of the funded projects, 22 will directly improve pedestrian safety through the construction of sidewalks, shared-use paths, or improvements to crosswalks.
Last year, 125 pedestrians were killed in Ohio.
So far this year, there have been 50 pedestrians killed.
Five of the projects will target roadway departure crashes – when a vehicle leaves the travel lane and veers off the road – by widening the shoulder of roadways or realigning curves.
Roadway departure is the top factor in fatal crashes, accounting for about half of all traffic deaths in Ohio each year.
Ohio’s Highway Safety Improvement Program addresses road locations with a history of fatal or injury crashes where other safety improvements have not been effective.
“These targeted, data-driven investments not only improve safety for local communities but strengthen the transportation system across Ohio,” said ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn. “With the largest highway safety program per capita in the nation, we’re seeing real results—traffic deaths have been declining since 2021.”
Other roadway safety improvements funded through this round of the grant program include intersection upgrades, roundabouts, reduced collision U-turns, and a realignment project.
Two projects are planned locally.
A roundabout is planned in Clark County at the intersection of US 40 and State Route 571.
The $3.4 million project is expected to be completed in 2029.
Another roundabout is planned for the intersection of State Route 117 and State Route 366 in Logan County.
That project is planned for 2030 and will cost nearly $4.37 million.
