Columbiana wins $1.7 million ODOT congestion grant for turning lane project

City Manager Lance Willard (S3) told the Columbiana City Council that the city received notification from the Ohio Department of Transportation that it will be awarded a $1,700,000 small-cities congestion grant to install a center turning lane and widen the roadway from the Best Western area east to the bridge.

"We received notification from ODOT this week that we will be awarded $1,700,000 grant," Willard said, and he described a tight construction window: the project is scheduled to start July 1, 2025, and must be completed by June 30, 2026. Willard said engineering work and planning will begin immediately to meet that schedule.

Willard also reported the lift-station bid came in under the engineer's estimate and staff have included the low bidder and amount in the city's OWDA loan application; legislation related to that project will be presented to council later this month.

Council members discussed traffic impacts and the long-term plan to pursue additional corridor improvements if further congestion relief funding becomes available. Staff indicated engineering and coordination will be prioritized because of the constrained project timeline.