Journal-News.com

Springfield, Ohio — Clark County officials submitted more than $6.3 million in projects to the state in hopes of getting federal dollars trickling down from the $787 billion stimulus package signed by President Barack Obama Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Clark County Engineer Johnathan Burr said 14 projects have been submitted from his office and the Springfield-Clark County Transportation Coordinating Committee. More may be added, but stringent federal guidelines limit what can be considered, he said.

"There are a lot of projects on the radar," Burr said. "But so far, these are the ones that meet the guidelines we've been given."

The guidelines require that projects be "shovel ready"— that construction or improvements can begin almost immediately.

Some major projects — such as the widening of roadways that need right of way and environmental studies that can take years to complete — cannot be included in the package, Burr said.

That's why a plan to add a lane on Interstate 70 from Enon Road to U.S. 40 that has been repeatedly delayed because of funding would not meet requirements for stimulus money; it's still considered to be in preliminary stages, said Ohio Department of Transportation County Manager John Henry Balzer III.

ODOT also will submit projects, but the list will be compiled by the central office, Balzer said.

"We're hoping some (money) will come to Clark County, but right now we don't know all the specifics," Balzer added.

Burr said his office will continue to consider projects for submission to benefit the county.

"If somebody is going to give us money to repair the infrastructure of Clark County, we'll do what we have to do to get it done," Burr said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0374 or boutten@coxohio.com.