Ohio awards $21 million for bike, pedestrian projects

NewsOhio is awarding more than $21 million in grants for 17 bicycle and pedestrian projects in 16 counties.Ohio Department of TransportationCOLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio is awarding more than $21 million in grants for 17 bicycle and pedestrian projects in 16 counties, including several in Northeast Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Transportation announced Wednesday.The grants, through ODOT’s Transportation Alternatives Program, are intended to improve safety and connectivity for people walking and biking.The projects include:Ashtabula County: $4 million for a 1.9-mile section of the Pymatuning Valley Greenway Trail between Slater Road and the Pennsylvania state line in Williamsfield Township. The project includes two steel-beam bridges and a parking area.Huron and Erie counties: $2.8 million for an 11-foot-wide shared-use path along U.S. 250 connecting Norwalk and Milan.Norwalk: $511,665 for an 11-foot-wide shared-use path and sidewalk improvements along Milan Avenue from Deepdale Drive to Emerald Parkway.Loudonville: $1.78 million for 5-foot-wide on-street bike lanes along Main Street from Spring Street to Brentwood Drive.Wooster: $750,000 for 1.25 miles of shared-use paths connecting Venture Boulevard and Silver Road.Projects were selected based on safety, connectivity, preservation, demand and readiness to begin construction.“These new projects are about more than just paving a path; they’re about making communities safer and more vibrant,” DeWine said. The Cleveland.com Express Desk uses AI tools to assist in producing content, which is reviewed and edited by staff.This article was produced with assistance from AI tools and reviewed by Cleveland.com staff.