Columbus, Ohio – Ohio is investing more than $21 million in projects designed to make travel safer and easier for pedestrians and bicyclists across the state.
Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Transportation Director Pamela Boratyn announced that funding through the Transportation Alternatives Program will support 17 projects across 16 counties. The projects range from new sidewalks and bicycle lanes to shared use paths, trail extensions, crosswalks and other pedestrian safety improvements.
“These new projects are about more than just paving a path; they’re about making communities safer and more vibrant,” said Governor DeWine. “This is an investment in Ohio’s future and a commitment to building a more connected, healthy, and accessible state for all.”
The Transportation Alternatives Program, also known as TAP, provides money for several types of projects. These can include pedestrian and bicycle facilities both on and away from roads, projects improving access to public transportation for people who are not driving, community improvements, environmental work, recreational trails and safe routes to schools.
ODOT said projects were chosen using committee recommendations and a scoring system that considers safety, connectivity and preservation. Officials also looked at areas with strong demand and need for walking and biking facilities, as well as whether projects were ready to move forward.
“Safety is always our top priority, no matter the mode of transportation. These partnerships with local governments significantly contribute to keeping Ohioans who walk and bike safe, but we also need motorists to do their part. Drop the distractions, pay attention, obey the speed limit, and drive sober,” said Director Boratyn.
Trails sidewalks and bike facilities planned across Ohio
The largest single award is going to Ashtabula County Metroparks. The Pymatuning Valley Greenway Trail Phase 1.4 project will receive $4 million in state fiscal year 2027. Plans call for construction of a 1.9 mile multipurpose trail between Slater Road and the Pennsylvania state line in Williamsfield Township. The project will also include two steel beam bridges and a parking area.
Another major project will receive $2.8 million for an 11 foot wide shared use path along U.S. 250 connecting Norwalk and Milan in Huron and Erie counties. The project is scheduled for state fiscal year 2030.
Lancaster in Fairfield County is set to receive more than $2.73 million for its Memorial Pierce Pedestrian Improvements project. About one mile of pedestrian infrastructure will be built, including sidewalks, crosswalks and signal improvements.
Hocking County Commissioners will receive approximately $2.27 million for Phase 2 of the Hocking Valley Scenic Trail. The project calls for 3.8 miles of trail and related facilities, extending the trail system south and providing connections to neighborhoods, businesses, schools, employment centers and historic sites.
Loudonville in Ashland County was awarded approximately $1.78 million for Main Street bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements. Plans include five foot wide bicycle lanes on Main Street between Spring Street and Brentwood Drive.
Findlay will receive more than $1.13 million for the Bright Fostoria Connector Path, which will create a shared use route along the developing Bright Road and Fostoria Avenue corridor.
Several smaller communities are also receiving funding for sidewalk projects. Blanchester in Clinton County will receive $320,000 to reconstruct about 1,500 feet of sidewalk around the municipal building and along Main Street.
Midvale in Tuscarawas County will receive $504,000 to provide approximately 3,000 feet of new sidewalk throughout the village. Fredericktown in Knox County was awarded $552,220 for the third phase of a streetscape project replacing sidewalks, curbs and curb ramps that are in poor condition or do not meet accessibility standards.
Projects aim to connect neighborhoods and destinations
Other awards focus on filling missing links between existing walking and bicycling networks.
Athens County will receive more than $434,000 to resurface six miles of the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway between The Plains and Hocking College in Nelsonville.
Fayette County’s State Route 435 project will receive $865,000 for new sidewalks between Allen Road and the TA truck stop driveway. Marked crosswalks and pedestrian signal features are also planned at both intersections.
Holmes County will receive nearly $399,000 to build 1,720 linear feet of the Mohican Valley Trail along Wally Road near Lost Horizons Campground.
Norwalk’s North End Pedestrian Path is receiving more than $511,000. The project includes an 11 foot wide shared use path and missing sidewalk sections along Milan Avenue between Deepdale Drive and Emerald Parkway.
Two projects were selected in Knox County. Along with Fredericktown’s streetscape work, Gambier will receive nearly $859,000 for multimodal improvements. The project will address pedestrian safety, accessibility and connections along Wiggin Street, the Chase and Gaskin Avenue corridor, and the South Acland and Duff Street corridor.
Oak Harbor in Ottawa County will receive $637,000 to construct an approximately 0.44 mile shared use path along Park Street between Benton Street and Locust Street.
Van Wert was awarded $741,000 for improvements along South Walnut Street from East Ervin Road to Hospital Drive. The project will add sidewalks and improve walking and bicycling access to important community destinations.
Wooster in Wayne County will receive $750,000 for a 1.25 mile shared use path connecting Venture Boulevard and Silver Road.
The funding also includes more than $858,000 for pedestrian safety and connectivity improvements in Gambier and $504,000 for new sidewalks in Midvale.
The 17 projects are scheduled across several state fiscal years, with funding stretching from 2027 through 2031. Some projects can move forward relatively quickly, while others involve larger infrastructure improvements requiring more preparation.
Taken together, state officials say the investments are intended to provide safer transportation choices while improving connections between neighborhoods, schools, businesses and other destinations. The projects also reflect a broader effort to make Ohio communities easier to navigate for residents who walk or ride bicycles rather than relying solely on motor vehicles.
