Two Local Communities Receive Funding from Transportation Alternatives Program

COLUMBUS—State Rep. Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) today announced that the cities of Defiance and Van Wert have been awarded funding through the Ohio Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP).

The TAP can expand travel choices and strengthen the local economy. The program provides federal funds for projects like pedestrian and bicycle facilities, community improvement activities, and the Safe Routes to School program.

Local projects receiving funding from TAP are as follows:

·         Ayersville Avenue Sidewalk Connectivity Project, Defiance: The $1.67 million grant will help a project aimed to improve sidewalk connections along Ayersville Avenue within Defiance. Approximately 1.5 miles of new sidewalk will be constructed along Ayersville Avenue to increase pedestrian access to the downtown. 

·         Fox Road Walk and Connections, Van Wert: This project will use TAP’s $512,000 grant to install a new concrete walk along the north side of Fox Road from South Shannon Street to South Washington Street. This walkway will connect pedestrians to the existing path around the city’s two reservoirs and to future paths at Hiestand Park. 

“By adding these walking routes, pedestrians will have a more accessible and safe path to travel on,” Klopfenstein said. “I am pleased that more people will be able to walk to Defiance’s downtown and have an easier path to Van Wert’s reservoirs.”

TAP provides funding for projects defined as transportation alternatives, including on- and off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities, infrastructure projects for improving non-driver access to public transportation and enhanced mobility, community improvement activities and environmental mitigation, recreational trail program projects, and safe routes to school projects.