recovery tiger roars · 2009. 11. 17. · 2 • transcript, sept/oct 2009 the recovery tiger roars...

3C ‘Quick Start’ on a roll,page 3.

Making trip back to school safe and fun,page 11.

Distracted driving topic of summit,page 6.

Sept/Oct 2009

Oh i O De p a r t m e nt O f tra n s p O r t at i O n • em p l Oye e news l e t te r

On the cover:National, state and local dignitaries gather for the Nelsonville Bypass Groundbreaking, Oct. 13. See story page 3. Photo by Andy Eline, Central Office.

Transportation investment is a means to create jobs and transform Ohio’s economy. — Gov. Ted Strickland

see story page 2

Recovery TIGER roars . . .

2 • tranScript, Sept/Oct 2009

The Recovery TIGER roars in Ohio Ambitious new projects submitted for Stimulus fundingScott Varner, Central Office

T argeting major transportation projectsthat would have a significant economic impact for Ohio, Gov. Ted Strickland submitted nine applica-

tions for additional federal stimulus funding under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s TIGER Discretionary Grant Program.

In all, the ODOT-prepared project applications seek nearly $588 million in new stimulus funding, out of $1.5 billion in total funds to be awarded. Combined, states submitted more than $50 billion in requests.

Covering improvements in roadways, rail, water, public transit and aerospace, the projects were sent to the USDOT for the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) fund. The nine proposals were carefully chosen to target major transportation needs that will have a significant impact throughout the state and Midwest region.

“Transportation investment is a means to create jobs and transform Ohio’s economy,” Strickland said. “These

projects meet the high goals set forth by President Obama in the Recovery Act, and this additional funding, if secured, will make a marked improvement to our transportation system, create jobs, and help promote livable, sustainable communities throughout our state.”

According to guidance from Washington, awards will be on a competitive basis to “projects that have significant impact on the nation, a metropolitan area, or a region.” Priority is also given to projects that can be completed by February 2012 and include long-term outcomes, such as job creation, economic stimulus, innovation and partnership.

“We selected projects based on their ability to give Ohio’s travelers and shippers more opportunities, and further transform Ohio into a premier national and global logistics and transportation location,” said ODOT Director Jolene M. Molitoris. “These investments will also leverage nearly $1.2 billion in additional state, local and private sector funding.”

In March, Ohio announced its plans for the first round of $935.7 million in transportation infrastructure stimulus funds allocated to Ohio, including $161.5 million directed to the state’s major metropolitan planning organizations. This initial project announcement included stimulus funding for a portion of the $400 million Cleveland I-90 Innerbelt Bridge and $150 million for the U.S. Route 33 Nelsonville Bypass.

The new projects affect areas beyond highway improve-ments, such as Ohio’s proposed Green Public Transit Vehicle Exchange. Designed to modernize the state’s public transit fleet, this investment will allow for the purchase of more than 260 cleaner, greener vehicles for Ohio’s public transit systems and could also help in Ohio’s effort to attract a bus manufac-turing company to the state.

The proposed Plum Brook Aerospace Station project is the construction of an intermodal loading facility that will allow NASA and others organizations to safely and economically transfer satellite and related aerospace equipment to northern Ohio, expanding this state’s involvement in the aerospace industry.

Other projects, CSX National Gateway and U.S. Railcar Passenger Train Manufacturing projects, will further rail development in Ohio. The CSX project has the unprec-edented endorsement from six governors to complete 61 double-stacked rail clearance projects along a vital freight rail corridor, while the manufacturing project is a public-private partnership to produce and maintain Diesel Multiple Unit passenger railcars at a new manufac-turing facility in the central Ohio suburb of Gahanna. The remaining five projects include purchasing new equipment for the Toledo-Lucas port and improvement to four important highways and bridges.

“In addition to these identified projects, we encour-aged Ohio municipalities and regions to submit competi-tive applications for other eligible projects, and we will demonstrate state support for those projects as well,” Gov. Strickland said.

Photo by Lloyd MacA

dam, D

istrict 11

Gov. Ted Strickland and ODOT Director Jolene M. Molitoris chat with Jack Ford, vice president of Beaver Excavating (right) at the District 11 groundbreaking ceremony to help kick off construction for a new interchange at Interstate 77 and County Road 80 in Dover, Tuscarawas County.

tranScript, Sept/Oct 2009 • 3

3C ‘Quick Start’ on a rollStu Nicholson, Ohio Rail Development Commission

continued on page 5

I t may not seem to be a day or time most peoplewould recall, but on Oct. 2, 2009 at 5:40 p.m. in a small office at the Ohio Rail Development Commis-

sion, ODOT Director Jolene M. Molitoris, ORDC Executive Director Matt Dietrich and many other staff members witnessed an historic moment in a simple computer keystroke. With that tap of a “send” button, Ohio’s formal application for federal stimulus funding of the 3C “Quick Start” Passenger Rail Plan was officially uploaded to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).

“Our combined ORDC and ODOT planning team literally worked up to the federal October 2 deadline to put together what we believe is the best application possible,” said ORDC Executive Director Dietrich. “I could not be prouder of their effort and the way they supported each other in getting us to this day.”

At twin rallies in Columbus and Cleveland, an energized ODOT Director Molitoris told supporters, “The 3C is Ohio’s premier passenger rail corridor . . . tailor-made for short distance service and reaching 60 percent of all Ohioans who live within 15 miles of the corridor. It is one of the best opportunities anywhere in the nation to bring this type of travel choice to those who do not currently have it.”

Ken Silliman, chief of staff to Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson (left); ODOT Director Jolene M. Molitoris; State Rep. Kenny Yuko; and Executive Director of the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency Howard Maier submit the state’s federal application for the Ohio 3C “Quick Start” Passenger Rail Plan during an Oct. 1 event in Cleveland.

Photo by Mark Ziaja, D

istrict 12Photo by A

ndy Eline, Central Offi

ce

Nation’s top highway official breaks ground on U.S. 33 Nelsonville BypassDavid Rose, District 10

“Development of passenger rail along the 3C Corridor not only creates jobs, it spurs economic development in our urban cities,” said Ohio Department of Development Director Lisa Patt-McDaniel.

The process of submitting Ohio’s 3C application for the

F ederal Highway Administrator VictorMendez joined Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, ODOT Director Jolene M. Molitoris and other state and local

officials to kick off the U.S. 33 Nelsonville Bypass Recovery Act Project in southeast Ohio Oct. 13. The project is the largest investment of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) dollars in Ohio to date.

“The President’s recovery plan is getting people back to work in neighborhoods across the nation, in cities large and small, and in places urban and rural,” said Mendez. “Secretary LaHood and I know it is projects like this one that will help get the economy back on track.”

The project involves the construction of a new 8.5 mile, four-lane highway to divert freight traffic from U.S. 33 in the town of Nelsonville. U.S. 33 is one of the busiest freight routes in Ohio, currently caring more than 1,700 trucks per day between Columbus and Charleston, West Virginia.

Administrator Mendez also highlighted that the second and third phases of the project were not set to begin until 2012 and 2015 had it not been for the infusion of funding from the Recovery Act.

“The Nelsonville Bypass is not only good for the state’s economy, it is also helping to connect communities in Ohio and West Virginia,” he said.

Through the end of October, ODOT and its local transportation partners have awarded construction contracts on 154 stimulus-funded projects, worth more than $507.5 million. Across the state, ODOT continues to invest, oversee and monitor more than $1.1 billion in transporta-tion stimulus funds made available to Ohio.

Joined by local government and business officials, ODOT Director Jolene M. Molitoris, FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez, and Gov. Ted Strickland broke ground on Ohio’s largest single stimulus project: Phase II and III of the U.S. 33 Nelsonville Bypass. The groundbreaking took place on Oct. 13, 2009. The bypass is projected to be completed by July 2013. Pictured left to right are: Forest Supervisor Wayne National Forest , Jo Reyer ; Vice President of Beaver Excavating, Jack Ford; ODOT Director, Jolene M. Molitoris; U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson; FHWA Administrator, Victor Mendez; President of Kokosing Construction Company, Brian Burgett; Gov. Ted Strickland; Athens County Commissioner, Lennie Eliason; U.S. Rep. Zack Space; State Rep. Debbie Phillips; State Rep. Dan Dodd; ODOT District 10 Deputy Director Larry Woodford, and Director of the Governor’s Office of Appalachia, Fred Deel.


Photo by Becky McC

arty, District 11

Photo by Mark Ziaja, D

istrict 12

Photo by Brian Hedge, D

istrict 6

A state of operational readinessKathleen Fuller, District 9 and Paula Putnam, Central Office

Acting District 11 Equipment Superintendent Jim Zupko adheres a Three-Star Green Fleet Certified sticker to a Jefferson County dump truck during the county’s operational readiness event.

A s the first cool temperatures begin toregister across the state, the Ohio Department of Transportation is readying its statewide fleet of

snow-clearing equipment and highly-trained crews for the 2009-2010 winter season, and once again, the department reminds motorists: in “Ice and Snow . . . Take it Slow.”

As part of ODOT’s snow and ice preventive maintenance program, operational readiness events are held throughout the state in October and early November to ensure that the more than 1,700 plow trucks and equipment are functioning properly. These dry run inspections are necessary for mechanics and inspectors to examine, test and fine-tune equipment before putting them out on snow and ice-covered roads.

“Training and preparation are the keys to keeping our roadways safe throughout the winter,” said District 12 Deputy Director Bonnie Teeuwen. “Years of experience and ongoing education make ODOT’s drivers some of the best in the nation. As always, our personnel have proven that ODOT is ready for whatever Mother Nature has to throw at us.”

In the days and weeks leading up to the onset of winter weather, ODOT mechanics, transportation managers and highway technicians are preparing for the season ahead. From the moment the first snow storm strikes to when the last flake has fallen, all of ODOT’s winter workforces will be ready and on the move.

“Being prepared is the bottom line,” said Darrel Armstrong, highway management administrator for District

9. “It doesn’t matter what the forecast holds, our drivers must be ready, and the operational readiness inspec-tions and snow and ice schools help to reinforce the skills our highly-trained workforce already have.”

And ready is what they are in all 88 counties in the state, where terrain combined with a mixed bag of winter weather makes for some great challenges and interesting driving.

“When I first started with ODOT, I never thought I would have to drive a plow truck backwards to treat a route, but I did,” said Mike Willis, timekeeper for the Lawrence County garage.

Willis has had his share of memorable experiences behind the wheel, and he has had to learn some unusual driving

District 12’s George Holloway, assistant Cuyahoga County manager, hams it up for the camera between inspections during this year’s operational readiness events.

techniques the hard way. “During one of my first winters in the truck, we had a terrible dose of freezing rain that led to an ice storm,” Willis relates. “I tried to clear the same stretch of highway twice, but both times I slid back down sideways. That’s when I decided it was time to turn the truck around and drive up the hill backwards. It wasn’t pretty, but it worked!”

While being prepared means getting crews and equipment ready, it also includes having the materials in supply. So even before operational readiness events are held each fall, ODOT’s garages are stockpiling salt and grit well before the first flake of snow or drop of ice hits the pavement.

The District 6 team inspects the equipment at the Hilliard Garage in Franklin County in preparation for the upcoming winter.

Ice and Snow . . .Take it Slow


3C ‘Quick Start’ on a rollcontinued from page 3

American Recovery & Reinvestment Act funds actually began slightly more than 24 hours earlier at Cleveland’s downtown Amtrak station when Director Molitoris and several invited local officials pressed an animated “button” on a flat-panel TV screen. That began uploading the first of several large documents in an application package that ultimately numbered 2,000 pages.

Not long after, FRA Administrator Joseph Szabo announced he was moving the deadline for announcing awards. “Due to the overwhelming response and our desire to lay the groundwork for a truly national high-speed and intercity passenger rail program, we will be announcing all awards this winter,” he said in a statement.

The FRA statement also indicated that 24 states submitted a total of 45 applications under the Track 2 corridor program category, for a total request of approximately $50 billion. Those numbers are noticeably less than the earlier round of “pre-applications” where 40 states made rail project requests totaling over $102 billion.

Still, the competition remains keen for those ARRA stimulus dollars. According to information gathered by the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission (MIPRC), eight midwestern states have submitted applications to receive federal funding for the development of passenger rail corridors. Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin and Ohio all met the Oct. 2 deadline for submitting applications for multi-year passenger rail corridor

program funding from the FRA under its High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail program. Together, these states asked for almost $10 billion in Track 2 funding to fully develop corridors and purchase train sets for new service.

“The midwestern states have been working together on a plan longer than anyone, as well as putting down infrastruc-ture to relieve freight congestion,” said Missouri State Rep. Charlie Schlottach, MIPRC’s chair. “We’ve worked politically, at the local, regional, state and federal level in order to foster relationships that will enable us to strategically move forward on rail issues, and I think we’re just light years ahead of anybody on those elements.”

But what makes Ohio’s application a stand-out? The state has a strong financial plan, capital improvements that can help the local economy and an identified, 250-mile “direct route” all within Ohio’s borders.

Perhaps most important of all, it has a large unmet passenger demand that can support rail service and see it grow.

But even with Ohio’s application now submitted, there is little time to rest and much work to be done:

“Our application, while important and historic, is essentially a snap-shot of where we are as of October 2,” says ORDC’s Dietrich. “We will continue our work selecting an operator for the 3C service and also identify and select a source of the passenger rail equipment needed to run this service.”

Brown named as new District 1 deputy director

ODOT Director JoleneM. Molitoris named Leonard Brown as the

new deputy director for District 1, effective Sept. 28.

Brown replaces Tim Burkepile who returned to construction management where he is now involved in monitoring local projects statewide which are being funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Prior to this appointment, Brown served as production administrator in District 6, and was deputy director for ODOT’s Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) for six years. As head of LTAP, he developed and conducted transportation training for local governments across Ohio.

Brown was division adminis-trator in the Ohio Division of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for six years, where he directed a multi-level staff who provided leadership, assistance, and guidance to multiple entities within the transportation community in Ohio. He held several other positions with that agency in Indiana, California, Chicago, Louisiana and Iowa.

“I’m looking forward to identifying the needs in the district at the local level and district wide and aligning resources to respond to those needs,” said Brown. “I’m interested in assessing our personnel and placing them where their strengths will provide the most benefit to the district and to ODOT.” Leonard Brown


Dangers of distracted driving topic of safety summitNancy Burton, Central Office

ODOT helps Columbus save paving programJoel Hunt, Central Office

W hen the city of Columbus’ streetresurfacing budget dropped from $20 million annually to nothing in 2009, ODOT, the

Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission and the city of Columbus stood together to secure funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to keep the program running.

At a news conference on Sept. 18, Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman and ODOT Director Jolene M. Molitoris announced how $3 million in stimulus funds will be used, and talked about the future of transportation in Ohio.

“Nine streets will be repaved as a result of the ARRA funds,” said Mayor Coleman. “These streets are considered the ‘worst of the worst.’”

“This is just a down payment on the terrific needs we have,” said Chester Jordan, executive director of MORPC. “We need to celebrate this achievement, but let’s not give up the fight.”

U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, chairman of the House Transpor-tation and Infrastructure Committee, and U.S. Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy also attended and spoke at the event.

O DOT is targeting thedangers of distracted driving, especially text messaging.

Representatives from ODOT, AAA, the Ohio departments of Insurance and Public Safety, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administra-tion, the National Safety Council and the Columbus Police Union joined a nationwide effort to confront a growing safety issue on Ohio’s streets and highways. This first mini-safety summit was held in late September.

Presentations were conducted

by Nationwide Insurance, a representa-tive from the National Safety Council who lost a child in a crash caused by a cell phone and the Cleveland City Councilman who introduced legisla-tion to ban texting while driving in Cleveland. Though a first-of-its-kind event, it is expected to be the beginning of several statewide transportation conversations on this issue.

ODOT’s mini-summit set the stage for a national gathering by the

US Department of Transportation, also held in September, which further explored teh ways to prevent distraction while driving.

An ODOT analysis of crash data in 2009 shows that 21 people were killed in accidents on Ohio roadways where distracted driving was the cited cause. A study by the Insurance Institue for Highwaqy Safety showed that drivers who use cell phones are four times more likely to be in a crash while using a cell phone.

Photo by Joel Hunt, Central O

ffice

U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, chairman the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, speaks to Columbus media about efforts to keep the city of Columbus’ street resurfacing program operating.


From the left: Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority Board President George Dixon; Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson; ODOT Director Jolene M. Molitoris; Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority CEO Joe Calabrese; and Cleveland City Council members Anthony Brancatelli, and Phyllis Cleveland.

University of Cincinnati engineering students Jesse Limbert (far right) and Mike Freshwater (right) describe the materials used in constructing their four-passenger concrete canoe. Last year, the university won a regional competition and placed 10th nationally for its concrete canoe.

Stimulus funds help create new transit center in ClevelandMark Ziaja, District 12

P ublic officials from across CuyahogaCounty attended the ground breaking for the $9.6 million, Stephanie Tubbs Jones Transit Center

facility. Sponsored by the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA), the center was named for the late U.S. representative who was an advocate and frequent user of public transportation.

The transit center, located at East 21st Street and Prospect Avenue, will include an indoor waiting area for people catching a bus or transferring and has bays for 16 buses to give drivers a place to wait instead of idling on the street. It will feature a 5-foot-tall bust of Jones, and will have a triangle incorporated in the floor as a tribute to the Delta Sigma Theta sorority that was beloved to her.

The facility will also have restrooms, food kiosks and a customer service area.

The center will be built with nearly $5.7 million in federal stimulus funds, combined with GCRTA funds.

Photo by Joel Hunt, Central O

ffice

Photo courtesy of Dave G

usky, City of Cleveland

Ohio Transportation Engineering Conference focuses on safer, greener transportationJoel Hunt, Central Office

B uilding on ODOT’s mission to Move Ohiointo a Prosperous New World, the 63rd Annual Ohio Transportation Engineering Conference (OTEC), held

in Columbus Oct. 27 and 28, focused on promoting safer, greener transportation.

Co-sponsored by ODOT and The Ohio State University, OTEC addressed traffic and safety issues, as well as policy, planning, design, construction, maintenance and manage-ment of transportation resources.

“Safety is always our number one concern, whether we are designing and building roads and bridges, upgrading rail crossings or plowing snow,” said ODOT Director Jolene M. Molitoris. “OTEC lets our transportation professionals learn from experts, while exchanging ideas with each other. The end result is a safer transportation system for everyone.”

Nearly 175 transportation experts from around the country led transportation-related discussions with the nearly 3,000 participants. Featured “green” topics included Climate Change and Transportation, Hydraulics, Hydrology and Water Quality and the Greening of Transportation from Planning to Construction.

Terri Barnhart, OTEC coordinator said, “Attendees had lots of choices this year besides bridges and highways. Sessions on bicycle transportation, freight and passenger rail were all well attended.”

More than 60 students from 11 Ohio colleges and universities attended the conference. The students were able to network with transportation experts, as well as distribute their resumes to the more than 180 exhibitors.

Students from Ohio State exhibited an “ecoCAR,” designed for a competition to convert a gasoline-based General Motors crossover sport utility vehicle to a hybrid,

maximizing fuel economy and emissions ratings while maintaining stock performance, safety and consumer appeal.

The students won the first year of a three-year competi-tion between 17 universities across the United States and Canada for simulation, design and modeling.

OTEC attendees could earn up to 11 Continuing Profes-sional Development Hours (CPD) at the conference.

District 4 Project Engineer Anne Powell said, “OTEC is a great opportunity for engineers to get together, learn, share our experiences and earn many of our required CPD’s.”


Future in ‘Site’ for managing highway constructionRon Poole, Central Office

It was once single-handedlyresponsible for moving ODOT as an agency into the modern

computer age. Now, the Construction Management System (CMS) is making way for a replacement system called SiteManager that will support the department as it moves into its future.

The result of a joint effort between the divisions of Construction and Information Technology, the change will be more evolution than revolu-tion: the switch will be a gradual one, allowing everyone the chance to adjust to a new system that will ultimately be utilized by the department on numerous levels.

“SiteManager will be different for long-time CMS users,” observed Project Manager Melissa Anverse, “but it was developed by the same vendor that originally designed CMS and will perform all of our core business functions.”

Created specifically for ODOT and implemented in 1993, CMS was the department’s first large-scale system that made use of business innovations like PCs and client-server software to look after the activities involved in the various phases of highway construction. Among its functions,

the current system manages projects from award to finalization, contains daily construction activities from field offices, district and Central Office, and stores data from the testing of materials that go into a highway improvement project.

Since its implementation, CMS has become an important part of the activi-ties of a number of ODOT offices such as materials management, contracts, estimating and finance. But the system is based on technology that over time has been left behind by the rest of the department and the computer industry.

“The current system still uses a mainframe,” said Anverse. “It is slow, costly to maintain and has limited to no growth for the future.”

It was this need for a system that could perform faster and better work with the updated systems throughout the rest of ODOT that led to the joint effort to find and test SiteManager.

Used currently in 21 states, the new system can be accessed from laptops, can provide standardized field reports for all districts and can maintain archives of projects for reference, all while handling most of the current functions of CMS. SiteManager is also more cost efficient

to run and maintain and will be moved to a web-based system over the next couple of years.

“We are very lucky,” observed Dave Brown, District 7 materials implemen-tation lead for the project, “in that the materials codes we currently use can be transferred directly into the new system. The new system will be more generic in some of its functions, but there are many commonalities between the two systems that users will recognize.”

SiteManager will be implemented in March 2010 to handle identified multi-year projects. Potential conversion projects have also been identified and will be gradually moved from CMS to the new system if they are not going to be completed by 2012.

Although the project development team knows it will take time to work out any problems that may arise from fitting SiteManager into place, they also know it will be worth it to the depart-ment:

“It will be a challenge just because it is change,” summed up Jenny Kuenle, District 8 construction office adminis-trator. “Change is hard to adjust to, but our people are absolutely capable of running this program.”

Stevenson to lead Office of Multi-Modal PlanningJoel Hunt, Central Office

A ndrea Stevenson hasbeen selected as the new administrator for the recently

created Office of Multi-Modal Planning in the Division of Transportation System Development.

Director Jolene M. Molitoris said, “Andrea brings a great deal of diverse experience to multi-modal planning. She has been with ODOT for more than nine years managing the Office of Environmental Service’s Policy Section, focusing primarily on project delivery.”

As a leader with the Depart-ment’s TIGER Team, Stevenson was instrumental with ODOT’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act success. Director Molitoris said Stevenson will also play an important part in the success of ODOT’s historic Statewide Andrea Stevenson

Photo by Bruce Hull, Central O

ffice

Transportation Futures Planning. Stevenson said, “The futures plan

is going to define the steps we’re going to take to become more strategic with rail, transit, ports, bicycle, pedestrian, highway and aviation. Our goal is getting all modes to interface success-fully.”

Under Stevenson’s leadership, the department will also focus on the Lake Erie and Ohio River Initiatives, which will bring economic opportunities to Ohio by carrying goods out of the state via the two waterways.

Prior to her work with the Office of Environmental Services, Stevenson was with the Ohio Environmental Protec-tion Agency for 10 years, managing the section that deals with Air Quality for Transportation Sources.


Department expects to meet Combined Charitable Campaign goalJoel Hunt, Central Office

B y the end of October, ODOT employees haddonated nearly $222,500 to the Combined Charitable Campaign (CCC). With half of the department’s

pledge forms yet to be turned in, it is expected ODOT will meet its $395,000 goal.

James Stevens, director of public sector campaigns at the Combined Charitable Campaign said, “This is a tough year for charitable giving, but the need has never been greater.”

The campaign is an effort to consolidate many charitable campaigns into one, providing State of Ohio employees the opportunity to make donations through payroll deductions or one-time gifts. One campaign at the workplace results in minimal workplace disruption and lower administrative costs.

“Each year, state employees go the extra step by making our world healthier, happier and more just by contributing to

CCC,” said Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland.Through the CCC, employees can designate gifts to

multiple federations and hundreds of member charities. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the campaign.

“The Combined Charitable Campaign has been a true partnership between labor and manage-ment in the State of Ohio since its inception in 1989,” stated Eddie L. Parks,

president of OCSEA/AFSCME Local 11. “Because of this effort, we are proud to say that Ohio leads other states in charitable participation, including in dollars raised, the rate of participation and in average gift.”

Although the campaign officially ended Oct. 16, special event fundraisers are planned through the rest of the year.

In addition to the CCC Contributor Guide, federation and member charity information can be found at www.guidestar.org, a national database of nonprofit organizations.

Ribbon-cutting opens Butler County bridge

Pictured at the Liberty-Fairfield Bridge Ribbon Cutting August 18, 2009 are: Butler County Engineer Greg Wilkens (left), local historian Doris Page, ODOT District 8 Deputy Director Hans Jindal, ODOT Director Jolene M. Molitoris, and Butler County Commission President Don Dixon.

O DOT Director JoleneM. Molitoris, District 8 Deputy Director Hans Jindal

and Butler County Engineer Greg Wilken were among the state, county and township officials on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the newly-constructed, $10.3 million Liberty-Fairfield Road bridge on Aug. 18

Built to modern design standards to transport traffic more safely across the Great Miami River in southwest Ohio’s Butler County, the new Liberty-Fairfield Road structure is built on an entirely new alignment that straightens the roadway approaches to the bridge on both sides. This eliminates the dangerous curves once encountered by approaching motorists and will help reduce accidents.

The historic old bridge at Woodsdale crossing was kept open to traffic during construction.

Photo by Sharon Smigielski, D

istrict 8


State receives applications for future transportation projects

And the award goes to . . . Transcript!

T he Transportation Review AdvisoryCouncil (TRAC) is currently reviewing more than 100 applications from across the state over the course of a

series of regional public hearings from October to November. TRAC members have been meeting with project sponsors who are seeking new or continued study of transportation

projects ranging from major interstate upgrades and bridge modernizations, to freight, light rail and new intermodal terminals.

“With these applica-tions,” said ODOT

Director Jolene M. Molitoris, “we look toward Ohio’s longer-range transporta-tion future. The size and scope of these projects demonstrate the great need for transportation investment and great opportunity to connect our investments to jobs for Ohioans and economic development for our local communities.”

All together, the 105 proposed projects seek a total of nearly $2 billion in planning and design.

TRAC

The transportation conversation continuesRon Poole, Central Office

Nine months after completing its report forGov. Strickland, the 21st Century Transportation Priorities Taskforce reconvened in Columbus this

October to update its members on the progress made in implementing their recommendations for the state’s future.

ODOT Director Jolene M. Molitoris and taskforce Chairman Ty D. Marsh reported that the depart-ment has made several changes following the task force report: out of 89 recommendations, ODOT has fully implemented eight and has another 22 underway so far. The department plans to start work on 20 more recommendations in the next few months.

One of the task force’s primary recommenda-tions was the development of a Statewide Transporta-tion Futures plan – Ohio’s first ever multi-modal strategic transporta-tion strategy. Director Molitoris gave a well-received presentation on the need to decide which multi-modal investments will best spark and

sustain economic development while also enhancing Ohio’s quality of life.

Task force members were invited to give their input on this strategy for inclusion in a draft policy plan to be

completed this December.“One of our greatest

challenges for the future will be to change the mindset of the people of Ohio towards transportation,” said Mandy Kisling Bishop, co-director for the department’s recently formed Division of Transpor-tation System Development. “We want them to see transportation as an economic driver and as a shaper of communities, rather than as just a way to get from one place to another.”

Attendees were updated on ODOT’s new offices of Maritime and Freight, and Innovation, Partnership & Energy, also called for under

the task force report. Perhaps the hottest topic discussed was the pursuit of federal stimulus funds for passenger rail.

The American Association of State Highway and TransportationOfficials (AASHTO), an association representing highway and transporta-tion departments in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto

Rico, presented the award for ‘2009 Best Employee Newsletter – Internal’ to ODOT’s Transcript. Congratulations to the Division of Communications for their team’s outstanding work!

Photo by Matthew

Bell, Central Offi

ce


Photos by Julie Walcoff, Central O

ffice

Transportation helps make the journey back to school safe and funNancy Burton, District 6 and Ron Poole, Central Office

M ost of the state’s more than two millionschool-aged children headed back to school this fall, and ODOT was part of concerted efforts to

improve their daily commutes. The department became part of two public awareness campaigns: one focusing on increasing driver awareness of school buses on the road; the other, an international initiative on the healthy benefits of walking to school.

Each program reminds the public about the importance of transportation safety in the lives of school children.

In Ohio, it is estimated that half of the state’s school-aged children ride a bus to school. A recent ODOT safety analysis shows that 1,828 crashes on Ohio roadways last year involved school buses, including nine fatalities.

Near the school is also a concern for traveling students. More than 1,300 crashes over the past three years have occurred in school zones, with two people killed including a crossing guard. In all, more than 500 students and adults have been injured in accidents in schools zones from 2005 through 2008.

After a long summer break, many drivers simply forget that the roadways will be filled with buses and cars picking up and dropping off young students, especially during morning rush hour.

For this back-to-school season, ODOT is featuring its “Take Care, Be Aware” safety message at several locations across the state, reminding drivers to use caution and care when sharing the road with school buses making their stops.

ODOT put up safety poster in many of the state’s 110 rest areas and travel information centers. Walmart, the state’s largest retailer, also participated in the safety campaign,

placing the posters at ten of its largest stores in Ohio and its four state distri-bution centers.

ODOT was also involved in promoting a different kind of commute for students. This October, ODOT’s Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program joined with other like-minded organizations from around the country and around the world to promote International Walk to School Month.

It is estimated this year’s

month-long observance had 4 million people from more than 40 countries as participants. Children, parents, school teachers and community leaders everywhere took the opportunity to be part of a global event as they celebrated the many benefits of walking.

“More than 6,500 schools in the United States signed up under the International Walk to School Day website,” said Julie Walcoff, ODOT coordinator for Safe Routes to School, “and out of all 50 states, Ohio ranked second in the country for most schools and community group participation.”

One of Ohio’s events was the Manchester Local School District dedicating new sidewalks, built with funding from a Safe Routes to School grant. Local officials were part of the formal ceremony, which was held on Oct. 7 in conjunction with Walk to School Day.

That same day, Versailles Elementary held its own parade with a band, cheerleaders, and the police leading participants through town. Wizard of Oz characters pointed the way as students followed the yellow brick road to wellness.


Visit our Web site at: www.dot.state.oh.usTravel information at: www.BuckeyeTraffic.org

Ted Strickland Governor

Jolene M. Molitoris ODOT Director

DIVISION OF COMMUNICATIONSScott Varner, Deputy DirectorRon Poole, Managing Editor

Michael Stout, Layout/Design Editor

ODOT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION1980 W. BROAD ST.

COLUMBUS, OHIO 43223 Phone: (614) 466-7170 Fax: (614) 644-8662

A Manchester Local School District student helps

initiate the district’s new sidewalks — built with funding from an ODOT Safe Routes to School grant — during a formal dedication held Oct. 7, in conjunction with Walk to School Day. See story on page 11.

Photo by Julie Walcoff, Central O

ffice

recovery tiger roars · 2009. 11. 17. · 2 • transcript, sept/oct 2009 the recovery tiger roars...

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