For Immediate Release
March 26, 2009

Contact:
Aketa Marie Simmons
202-226-6709

WASHINGTON, DC –Representative Marcia L. Fudge (D-OH) was elated by Ohio Governor Ted Strickland's announcement. Today, Governor Strickland announced that 149 transportation infrastructure projects, which create an estimated 21,257 statewide jobs, have been prioritized for full or partial funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act resources. At the top of the list are two much needed projects in Cleveland, the fortification of the Inner Belt Bridge and the creation of an Opportunity Corridor.

Through these projects, ODOT is addressing the city’s most-pressing transportation concern by targeting $200 million in stimulus funds, combined with approximately $200 million in additional state and federal dollars, to build a new five-lane westbound I-90 Inner Belt Bridge. At the same time, the state will invest $20 million to advance the planning and design of the Opportunity Corridor, a proposed 3.3-mile urban roadway to connect I-490 to the growing University Circle area.

"These projects create good, valuable jobs and put Ohioans back to work quickly. Within Cleveland, I cannot think of greater infrastructure needs than the Inner Belt Bridge and the Opportunity Corridor.

"I applaud Governor Strickland for executing a fair and open process for transportation grants. The establishment of www.recovery.ohio.gov allowed every Ohio municipality, business and other entity to submit grant requests. I am confident that the rest of the process will be just as transparent," said Rep. Fudge, who voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Federal transportation stimulus funds totaling $774 million will be spent in nearly every Ohio county. Based on federal calculations for transportation investment, an estimated 21,257 jobs will be created or retained through these stimulus projects with thousands of additional jobs likely to be spurred by the economic development that occurs as a result of the projects.