The State Capital Improvement Program funds County road and bridge projects  

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH — Early voting is now underway for the May 6 election, and a critical funding source for infrastructure projects in Cuyahoga County is on the ballot.

If voters approve State Issue 2, the measure will reauthorize state issuance of up to $250 million in general obligation bonds annually over the next decade to fund public infrastructure improvements across the County and state. Issue 2 relies on existing state revenues and would not raise taxes.

“These funds help keep our neighborhoods connected and our economy moving,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne. “Whether it’s fixing a road in Parma or strengthening a bridge in Euclid, the Ohio Capital Improvement Program ensures our communities get the infrastructure investments they need.”

Since the program’s conception in 1987, Ohio voters have approved its renewal four consecutive times at the polls—most recently on May 6, 2014. During the last 10-year cycle, the state awarded more than $241 million to Cuyahoga County funding completion of 172 local projects, making the County the single largest recipient of program funding in that timeframe. As opposed to a levy, project costs are borne not by local property owners but by taxpayers statewide. In that sense, passing Issue 2 helps keep local taxes low. Program funding frees up revenues which otherwise would be allocated towards local infrastructural improvements, reducing the need for larger tax levies in support of other County initiatives such as Health and Human Services.

“From repairing aging roads to replacing deteriorating bridges, this funding is a key part of how we preserve and improve infrastructure across the County,” said Michael Dever, Director of Cuyahoga County Public Works. “Our communities rely on this program to get high-priority projects done.”

In the past, such high-priority projects included maintaining and improving necessary and critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, storm and wastewater systems, and more. Program funding has recently contributed to the $6.4 million resurfacing of Turney Road in Garfield Heights and Cleveland, the $10.1 million Sprague Road widening project between Webster and York in Middleburg Heights, Strongsville, Parma and North Royalton, and the $21 million Rockside Road Bridge project spanning the Cuyahoga River in Independence and Valley View.

Since 1987, the State Capital Improvement Program has provided over $5 billion in statewide funding, including $496,737,970 in grants and interest-free loans to projects in Cuyahoga County. The repayment of these loans has provided an additional $108,244,241 for Cuyahoga County projects. A vote ‘yes’ on Issue 2 to renew the state’s bond authority would allow the program to continue supporting the critical infrastructure that keeps County running.

For a complete list of projects funded through the State Capital Improvement Program, visit publicworks.ohio.gov. 

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