A national transportation research organization, TRIP, has distributed a transportation needs report for Ohio.  Founded in 1971, TRIP is a private nonprofit organization that researches, evaluates and distributes economic and technical data on surface transportation issues. In the report TRIP states that $12 billion is the current annual cost to Ohio motorist due to deteriorated roads and bridges as well as congested and less than desirable safety feature. The annual cost per driver in Ohio range from $1,740 to $2,180 a year. These high costs are a result of lost time, fuel consumption due to congestion-related delays, driving on deteriorating roads and the costs of traffic crashes. TRIP reports throughout Ohio, approximately one-third of major urban roads are in poor or mediocre condition, seven percent of bridges are structurally deficient and increasing congestion is causing significant delays for commuters. The report examines the impact of additional funds provide largely by the use of Ohio Turnpike bond proceeds documenting that the short-term and long-term state transportation funding is significantly less than needed.

See below for a per motorist breakdown of costs in Ohio and each major city.

“These conditions are only going to get worse, increasing the additional
costs to motorists, if greater investment is not made available at the state and local levels of government,” said Will Wilkins, TRIP’s executive director. “Without adequate funding, Ohio’s transportation system will become increasingly deteriorated and congested, hampering economic growth, safety and quality of life.”

Although the Ohio Department of Transportation was able to invest upwards of $2 billion in the state’s transportation system for 2017 and 2018, the investment funding is set to drop significantly between 2019 and 2021 and is estimated a shortfall of $14 billion through 2040. For example, only 7 of 13 current Columbus area transportation projects have the funding to be completed by 2023 while the remaining 6 have been stalled. These projects are listed below. 

The state’s economy relies heavily on the transportation system as $1.1 trillion worth of goods are transported to and from all of Ohio. The condition and efficiency of roadways is a significant factor to companies when determining where to originate, re-locate or expand which could cause all cities, towns and townships economies to feel the funding shortfall as well. Many individuals may also feel the transportation systems shortcomings closer to home as traffic crashes in Ohio have claimed an increasing number of lives, averaging 1,072 fatalities a year from 2012-2016.

To see the full report and how your area ranks, please click here