OKI challenges plan to re-direct road funds

CINCINNATI — A local agency is challenging a tentative plan by the Ohio Department of Transportation to redirect funds designated for local road projects to improve the state’s transit systems.

The Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments oversees and distributes state and federal funds for road and transit projects in southwest Ohio, northern Kentucky and parts of Indiana, including Butler and Warren counties. Officials from the council said they are concerned about $13 million designated annually for local road projects, such as the resurfacing work under way on Tylersville Road, would be taken away in favor of transit and passenger rail projects.

In July, staff from ODOT indicated at a Ohio Association of Regional Councils meeting it was working on a policy to redirect funds used by agencies like OKI to fund transit and economic development projects. OKI’s executive committee passed a resolution Sept. 10 opposing in any reduction in funds and asking ODOT to allow it to review any funding policy changes.

Federal law indicates that agencies like OKI must be consulted before projects can be selected by the state, and that funds cannot be redirected without an agency board vote, said Mark Policinski, executive director of OKI.

“We feel (that ODOT) cannot redirect funds like this. The federal law is very clear that whatever funds are expended within our region, our executive directors have to have a say in it and say whether or not they can be redirected,” he said.

Catherine Stoker, executive committee member of OKI and president of the West Chester Twp. board of trustees said she is concerned needed funds already allocated for road improvements will be lost in favor of more heavily publicized projects like the 3C Corridor, a passenger rail system meant to connect Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland via trains. She also worries the cuts will continue in the future.

“I’m not arguing with the importance of these type of projects, I just don’t think this is the right way to go about it,” she said.

In a letter sent to OKI Sept. 11, ODOT director Jolene Molitoris said the department would be scheduling meetings with affected agencies to discuss transportation funding plans. Officials at ODOT did not return calls seeking comment on the current proposal.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2843 or jheffner@coxohio.com.

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