Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) annually accepts applications to fund projects as part of the Ohio Department of Transportation’s (ODOT’s) Major New Capacity Program. TRAC was established by Ohio Revised Code 5512 to oversee the selection process for the priority and approval for funding projects that are part of the Major New Capacity Program. To be eligible for TRAC funding, a project must have an overall cost greater than $12 million; increase capacity or reduce congestion; and be critical to the mobility, economic development, and quality of life for the citizens of Ohio. Projects may be submitted by public agencies such as: ODOT District Offices, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), Regional Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPOs), Municipalities, County Commissioners, County Engineers, Transit and Port Authorities, and Transportation Improvement Districts (TIDs). Applications for the current application cycle were due to be submitted to TRAC by July 17, 2026.
The City of Columbus is eligible to submit a TRAC application, and the Department of Public Service has prepared a TRAC application to support the Columbus Region Network of Knowledge, New Opportunities, and Technology (Columbus Region North KNOT). The initial construction of SR315 freeway and subsequent growth have created significant mobility, system linkage, and access issues that now hamper significant economic development and transportation infrastructure investments being made by the City of Columbus, Franklin County, The Ohio State University, JobsOhio, and others in and around the project area. These investments include:
· The Innovation District at Ohio State, which is one of three innovation districts in the state identified by JobsOhio;
· The LinkUS Northwest Corridor Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project; and
· The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center expansion.
The City of Columbus, Franklin County Engineer’s Office, and The...
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