ODOT projects continued growth, development over next 30 years
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Central Ohio is the second fastest growing region in the U.S., according to findings from an 18-month long, statewide study released by the Ohio Department of Transportation.
To keep up with that growth, Ohio roads must continue to evolve to make room for the influx of people and help sustain the economic development of 11.8 million people – and growing – which ranks Ohio as the 7th largest state population in the nation.
'As of 2020, more people are moving into Ohio than out of Ohio,' said ODOT director Pamala Boratyn.
Boratyn said the statewide study, called the 'Strategic Transportation & Development Analysis', projects even more growth over the next 30 years.
Get out and do something this weekend in central Ohio, Feb. 20-23
'On the high end, in 2055, our population in Ohio could increase by 334,000 people,' she said.
More people signal economic development, increased job opportunities and more cars on the road.
'In terms of where it is we expect traffic to increase within the state, we expect the most increases will be within the central as well as southwest regions,' said ODOT project manager Jordan Whisler, who noted that the study identifies 72 hot spots.
'These hot spots are locations where traffic delays, bottle necks, reliability challenges could impede workforce movement, freight delivery and overall economic growth,' said Whisler.
Whisler said plans to address 51 of the 72 hot spots are in motion.
'Some examples of those existing projects that are ongoing right now are helping manage congestion, include things like the I-70/71 Downtown Ramp Up project within Columbus, the I-75 corridor improvements as well as improvements to US-23 north.'
ODOT said the total cost of those 51 projects is $13 billion. For the 21 other hot spots, those areas are not yet funded nor are plans developed yet to make improvements.
For more information on completed Strategic Transportation & Development Analysis, visit Statewide-Study-Final-Report.pdf.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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