What's New

In its first meeting of 2016, the AMATS Policy Committee approved 22 projects totaling nearly $26 million in new project funding on Jan. 28.  Committee approval ends an exhaustive selection process that began in September when the agency began sifting through 119 applications from project sponsors throughout the Greater Akron area.

Botosan

AMATS Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Coordinator Victor Botosan says that the committee’s approval represent a continuation of the agency’s “fix-it-first” approach to project funding.  Botosan explains that this approach emphasizes preserving the area’s existing transportation system while pursuing new efficiency strategies as a means to stretch the area’s federal transportation funding.

The Policy Committee approved $13.9 million in federal Surface Transportation Program funds for seven improvement projects to widen, reconstruct and improve some of the area’s most vital roadways.  Funding will not only be used for more traditional projects such as turn lane and intersection improvements, but also for non-traditional “complete street” projects starting with Akron’s East Exchange Street.  This project will include signal improvements as well as the construction of new bike lanes and various pedestrian amenities.

Area bike and pedestrian projects will also get a significant boost from AMATS through the Transportation Alternatives Program with $2.4 million going to five projects throughout Portage and Summit counties.  Among the projects getting a boost is the Brady’s Leap segment of The PORTAGE Hike and Bike Trail in Kent with the agency committing $700,000 for construction.  The committee also approved nearly $3.8 million for seven resurfacing projects throughout Summit County including a total of $1.6 million for the resurfacing of Center Road in New Franklin.

AMATS also committed nearly $5.6 million in federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality funds for the construction of new roundabouts in the cities of Green and Fairlawn and the purchase of two Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses for the Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority.  Other notable projects to receive funding include:

• $2.72 million for the reconstruction of Howe Avenue in Cuyahoga Falls.

• $700,000 for Phase 1 of the resurfacing of West Steels Corners Road in Cuyahoga Falls.

• $700,000 for the Freedom Trail-The PORTAGE Hike and Bike Trail Connector in Tallmadge.

A complete listing of projects is available by clicking here.  For additional details, please contact Botosan at 330-375-2436 or by email at vbotosan@akronohio.gov.