COLUMBUS – The state’s Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) today gave preliminary approval to Gov. John R. Kasich’s “Jobs and Transportation Plan” – a robust proposal to create as many as 60,000 new jobs and grow Ohio’s economy with a $3 billion investment that accelerates key highway projects.

“The governor’s plan not only helps generate $3 billion for Ohio’s economically-critical highway system, but it accelerates needed projects in some cases by decades and it does it without a tax increase. It’s an innovative approach that shakes up the status quo in a way that Ohio needs and I appreciate the TRAC’s strong support so the plan can move forward,” said ODOT Director and TRAC Chairman, Jerry Wray.

The TRAC voted nine to zero to advance the governor’s plan, which includes $1.5 billion generated by bonds backed by Ohio Turnpike profits. The remaining $1.5 billion will come from federal, state and local sources.

On Monday, Kasich announced details of his recommendations at the Orlando Baking Company in Cleveland, a longtime family business that will benefit from the improved highway access created by the “Opportunity Corridor.” This $334 million project provides better interstate access to both University Circle and some of Cleveland’s lower-income neighborhoods in order to help facilitate job creation. Other projects include:

· The $440 million Portsmouth Bypass in southeast Ohio;

· The $107 million MLK Boulevard interchange in southwest Ohio;

· The $195 million widening of I-75 in northwest Ohio;

· The $116 million expansion of I-80 in eastern Ohio;

· And the $235 million next phase of the I-70/I-71 project in central Ohio.

A complete list of all projects TRAC approved for construction throughout the state in the coming years is located here.

Today’s TRAC vote automatically launches a written public comment period which ends Friday, August 16, 2013. Written public comments may be sent to the following addresses: trac@dot.state.oh.us, or to the Ohio Department of Transportation, C/O Jim Gates, 1980 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43223.

ODOT officials will present certain projects to the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission in August. The TRAC will then vote to finalize the list in September. Construction for some of the approved projects could begin as early as this year.

The nine-member TRAC was established by the Ohio Revised Code in 1997 and provides guidance for developing a project selection process for ODOT’s largest investments of more than $12 million.