OHIO, USA — The Ohio Department of Transportation is giving $12.4 million in funding to eight bridge projects in the state, it announced in a press release on Thursday.
Four of those are replacement projects in northwest Ohio.
The Berdan Avenue bridge, which crosses the Ottawa River near the I-75 overpass, received $2.1 million to replace its superstructure and repair beams and the substructure.
The Evergreen Road bridge, which also crosses the Ottawa River between Bancroft Street and Sulphur Springs Road in Ottawa Hills, received $2.5 million.
Two bridges over Packer Creek in Genoa also received funding: the W. 9th St. bridge received $3.4 million and the Washington Street bridge received $1.25 million.
Other projects are in Franklin and Licking counties in central Ohio, Montgomery County near Dayton and Adams County near Cincinnati.
“Bridges are a vital part of our transportation infrastructure, but the cost of maintenance and repair is often more than local jurisdictions can afford. This program provides the funding assistance our local communities need to keep their bridges safe and in good condition,” said Gov. Mike DeWine.
Funding requests from municipalities "were reviewed by a multi-disciplinary committee with a background in funding and program management and bridge analysis," according to ODOT.
“Bridges owned by local communities make up the majority of the bridges in our state. The people of Ohio do not care who owns and maintains these bridges, they just want to know that they are safe to cross. This program helps ensure they are,” said ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn.
The full list of bridges that received funding can be viewed below: