NEW: “Rep. Marcy Kaptur Secures $9.5 Million for Projects in Fremont and the Port Clinton Area”

Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur announced that Fremont and the Port Clinton areas will receive $9.5 million in transportation money as part of a $24.5 million award from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All Program (SS4A).

The Toledo Democrat announced the $24.5 million award for Lucas, Ottawa, Wood and Sandusky counties as part of the SS4A. The money follows a previous $400,000 award in SS4A funding received by Lucas, Wood, Ottawa, and Sandusky Counties in the first round during February 2023.

"We are making transformational investments across our region with help from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It is rewarding to see our local communities in Lucas, Wood, Ottawa, and Sandusky counties come together to draw down this $24.5 Million federal award for comprehensive solutions to eliminate traffic fatalities, and to promote safety on our roadways," Kaptur said. "Working together we are delivering actionable investment across our region."

She promised to fight for Northwest Ohio, bringing praise from local leaders.

"I appreciate Marcy Kaptur and what she has done to bring these dollars to our community, even though we are in different parties. Infrastructure affects all of us the same," Fremont Mayor Danny Sanchez said. "It's great to be able to work across the aisle to get these dollars that serve all our residents."

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which Kaptur championed, established the SS4A discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over five years, from 2022 to 2026. The SS4A program pays for regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.

"This does not happen without the collaboration of the Sandusky County Engineer, and the other counties that are benefitting from this: Wood County, Lucas County and Ottawa County," Sanchez said. "This is a Northwest Ohio initiative, to make sure that Northwest Ohio is receiving dollars, just like Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati, the three-Cs."

Sanchez added that Fremont's selection was "because it was project-ready."

He added that the money won't just go toward cars and trucks.

"We're also looking at bicycles, and handicap accessibility," he said. "This will be in addition to dollars we've already received. This is the largest grant, that I'm aware of, that the city has ever received for a city street project."

Port Clinton Mayor Mike Snider was also very positive about the $4.5 million Kaptur secured for projects in the Port Clinton area.

"That's just another outlet of funds coming into the greater Port Clinton area to help with our aging infrastructure," Snider said. "In this case it sounds like it will just help make it safer to get to the Port Clinton area. Unofficially, I would put it at millions, over a year, coming to the islands, Cedar Point, or just coming to enjoy the restaurants, beaches, fishing and other attractions in the Port Clinton area."

The $24.5 Million USDOT SS4A Award Will fund the following upgrades:

Port Clinton - $4.5 Million will be used to reconstruct the interchange at State Routes 2 and 53 to include dual roundabouts in the goal of reducing accidents at the interchange as well as provide a transition to reduce traffic speeds for vehicles entering the City of Port Clinton.

Fremont - Two projects totaling $5 Million planned for the City of Fremont include:

• $1.9 Million to develop intersection improvements, pedestrian access improvements and other projects along Rawson Avenue (Ohio 53) from West State Street to Sean Drive.

• $3.1 Million for safety improvements along West State Street which may include a reduction in travel lanes, dedicated turning lanes, access management including center medians, dedicated bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and crosswalks.

Nothing has been set in stone.

"It's for the bigger State Street project. The goal is to improve and minimize transportation barriers for everyone in the city of Fremont and people visiting our community," Sanchez explained. "The city engineer will be working with the county engineer, and we will be hiring consultants to come up with designs, but ultimately this is to come up with better transportation, access for everyone who drives on State Street."