Infrastructure

Facing a critical need for a safer bridge on one of America’s busiest traveled roadways, governors from Ohio and Kentucky have applied for nearly $2 billion in federal funding for the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor.

President Joe Biden on Friday made his fifth visit to Ohio and second to Cincinnati since taking office. He visited a metal and alloy company in Hamilton to talk about additive manufacturing, announce a new initiative, and call on Congress to pass the Bipartisan Innovation Act.

Dam Structure Three near Lancaster is the latest to receive funding. It's one of 108 projects listed to get a portion of the $166.5 million from the new federal infrastructure bill . It’s one piece of a larger puzzle, where two of the largest and oldest dams in Fairfield County will also be restored.

Public transportation is a crucial piece of infrastructure for many peoples’ daily needs in Central Ohio. A report released by the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission in March identified rural counties as places with an urgent need for transit.

A 2021 review of bridges in Franklin County found the majority of the bridges are ranked “fair” or better. Just 3% of the county’s bridges were ranked “poor" and will be scheduled for rehab or replacement.

Officials said 10 people suffered minor injuries and at least three were taken to the hospital after the collapse, which appears to have involved several vehicles and a Port Authority bus.

Governor DeWine wants lawmakers to put the brakes on a proposal to halt the collection of Ohio's newly increased taxes on gas and diesel fuel citing the importance of Ohio's infrastructure, which the tax increase would help to maintain.

The trucking industry says it is short some 80,000 drivers. That's a 33% increase since 2019. At current trends, that number could pass 160,000 by 2030. Possible remedies include increasing the number of training schools and a pilot program that would allow 18-20 year-olds to drive across state lines.

The bipartisan bill contains billions of dollars for hard infrastructures like roads, bridges and highways but also provides funds to EV charging stations, broadband internet and more. We take a look at what it means for Ohio.

Ohio Sen. Rob Portman was one of 19 Republicans to vote “yes” on the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill President Joe Biden signed into law Monday.