OHIO'S INFRASTRUCTURE...
Important to our state, Important to our people
In 2009 the Ohio Council of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) published the Ohio Infrastructure Report Card. The comprehensive study explored key areas of Ohio's infrastructure and determined where we are strong and where we fall short. Each area was graded to highlight the most pressing infrastructure issues - our infrastructure tipping points. The Report Card was updated in 2010 with the addition of a Transit section.
Today the Report Card's message is more important than ever. The strength of Ohio's infrastructure affects our state's economy and our people's quality of life for the long term. Our roads and bridges, water and power distribution, schools and transportation systems are literally the foundation of Ohio's future. A sensible plan – and a sensible funding approach – is needed to keep that foundation strong.
It's worth discussing.
Take a moment to explore the infrastructure categories below. Each links to detailed information in the Ohio Infrastructure Report Card.
Today the Report Card's message is more important than ever. The strength of Ohio's infrastructure affects our state's economy and our people's quality of life for the long term. Our roads and bridges, water and power distribution, schools and transportation systems are literally the foundation of Ohio's future. A sensible plan – and a sensible funding approach – is needed to keep that foundation strong.
It's worth discussing.
Take a moment to explore the infrastructure categories below. Each links to detailed information in the Ohio Infrastructure Report Card.
Ohio's infrastructure is in need of attention
Aviation
Bridges
Dams
Water
Electricity
Parks
Railroads
Roads
Schools
Transit
WastewaterAviation C-
Ohio ranks third in the nation with 124 paved and lighted general aviation airports. Only 58% of runways, 57% of taxiways and 62% of aprons meet the satisfactory condition index. These percentages are below ODOT Office of Aviation established goals. Ohio's commercial service airports are meeting capacity requirements.
Bridges B-
Bridges in Ohio are crucial components of one of the largest transportation systems in
the country. Ohio has the second largest inventory of bridges in the United States. It
is estimated that it would cost $3.6 billion to replace all the structurally deficient
bridges and the most urgent two-thirds of the functionally obsolete bridges in Ohio.
Dams C
There are more than 2,600 dams in the State of Ohio. Nearly 70% of Ohio dams are privately owned. There were 1,597 state-regulated dams in Ohio in 2007. Of the state-regulated dams, 33% are deficient. It is estimated that the repair cost for Ohio's deficient dams is approximately $300 million
Approximately 90% of Ohioans receive water for daily needs from one of the more than 6,000 public water systems. An estimated 99% of the burden for funding public water supply systems is borne by local government. It is estimated that Ohio has $9.68 billion in drinking water infrastructure needs
Electricity C+
Electric generation, transmission and distribution systems in Ohio are satisfactory, reliability problems are relatively few, and those that exist are being addressed by system improvements. However, mandates related to alternative energy and environmental protection may pose problems for Ohio's electric utilities in the future.
Park systems in Ohio provide a crucial economic element in terms of jobs and financial impact. An additional $26.5 million is needed each year to properly operate the state parks and other divisions, and an additional $29.9 million annually is needed to eliminate the maintenance backlog over the next 10 to 20 years.
Railroads C-
Railroads provide critical services to industries important to Ohio's economy, hauling raw materials, parts, and finished products. Railroads are an important industry, employing more than 8,000 workers and paying approximately $500 million in wages. ODOT estimated that the cost to improve thirty railroad choke points is $1.19 billion
Roads D
With over 125,000 miles of roads, Ohio has one of the largest and most utilized roadway networks in the United States. 43% of Ohio's roads are in critical, poor, or fair condition. It is estimated that by the year 2014, Ohio will have a highway budget shortfall of more than $10 billion at the state government level alone
Schools C
The quality of schools in Ohio is crucial to the state's long-term viability and ability to compete in the global marketplace. The American Federation of Teachers estimated in 2008 that Ohio schools require $9.32 billion in infrastructure investment. This ranks Ohio 6th in the country for total funds needed
Transit D
An average of 500,000 riders use public transit daily, making Ohio 12th highest in ridership rate in the nation. Ohio ranks 40th in the nation in percentage of state transportation funds expended on public transit. Less than 1% of Ohio's state transportation funds go towards public transit.
Wastewater D+
Aging systems discharge billions of gallons of untreated wastewater into U.S. surface waters each year. An estimated 95% of the burden for funding municipal wastewater treatment systems is borne by local government. It is estimated that Ohio has $11.16 billion in wastewater infrastructure needs
For more information contact:
Charles F. Hammontree P.E., P.S., President ASCE Ohio Council
at
(330) 499-8817
or
email us at OhioInfraNeeds@ohioasce.org
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The Ohio Council of Sections is a part of the American Society of Civil Engineers, www.asce.org. This site is ©2011 |
