Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has unveiled plans for the next phase of construction on the I-70-71 split downtown.
He says the recently approved gas tax increase will make projects like this possible for a little while. Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler reports.
DeWine says big exchanges like Columbus Crossroads at the I-70/I-71 corridor are in urban areas, but there are smaller safety-related road projects throughout the state. And they’ll all be helped by the gas tax increase taking effect July 1. He’d wanted 18 cents, which he says would have financed a ten year plan for road construction, repair and maintenance, but he appreciates the 10 and a half cent hike.
“This is a shorter time. I’m not sure how many years, but this is shorter time. But we’re going to be fine for the first couple of years, first three years probably. Maybe into the fourth year.”
The gas tax increase will bring in $865 million a year, with 55 percent going to the state and the rest to local governments.
