COLUMBUS, Ohio — Editor's Note: The above video is from a previous story about ODOT's 2022 construction projects
In an effort to curb the growing number of pedestrian-involved traffic crashes, Gov. Mike DeWine has announced that the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) will invest $51 million for new safety projects across the state.
According to ODOT, fatal crashes involving pedestrians and roadway departures both hit their highest levels in 2021 in comparison to the previous decade.
The $51 million in funding will go toward 44 roadway safety projects in 32 counties. Nearly $30 million will be awarded to local governments in municipalities, townships, and counties for projects under their jurisdictions. The remaining funds will be used for projects on ODOT-maintained roads and highways.
Among the projects will be a $2 million investment to Cleveland and Shaker Heights to make improvements at Lee Road near the boundary between the two communities.
Here are some of the projects that will involve communities in Northeast Ohio:
- Shaker Heights - $1.8 million for project to reduce the number of lanes from 4 to 3 and install various pedestrian treatments along Lee Rd. near the municipal boundary with the City of Cleveland.
- Cleveland - $480,000 for various pedestrian improvements along Lee Rd. near the municipal boundary with the City of Shaker Heights.
- Avon Lake - $1.1 million for various pedestrian improvements along US-6 (Lake Road).
- Sheffield Lake - $681,000 for filling a gap in the sidewalk along US-6 (Lake Road) and installing enhanced crossings near the community center.
- Grafton - $307,000 for filling sidewalk gaps and installing an enhanced crossing on SR-57.
ODOT is also investing $1.6 million for what it calls "various pedestrian improvements" in the cities of Cleveland, Euclid, Fairview Park, Lorain, and also Lorain County. You can see the entire list of projects below.
"This is a serious problem, and we certainly believe that distracted driving is contributing to this alarming increase in pedestrian-involved and roadway departure crashes," said DeWine in a statement. "The funding we're awarding today, most of which is going to local governments, will be used to make the physical changes needed to help prevent crashes, but a cultural change around distracted driving is needed as well. I continue to encourage members of the Ohio General Assembly to pass legislation to put more restrictions around mobile device usage while driving to make it clear that distracted driving won't be tolerated in Ohio."
ODOT says construction timelines will vary for each project, some of which may begin as soon as this year.
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