Claire RobertsonTwo municipal agencies in Ohio will use a combined $38.6 million in federal grants on projects designed to improve multimodal transportation infrastructure.
The funds were allocated through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) competitive grant program, which in June awarded $1.8 billion to 148 projects across the county.
The Cleveland Metropolitan Park District received $19.5 million for the Cuyahoga Greenways: East Side Trails project. The project will build two paved multi-purpose trails: the Slavic Village Downtown Connector Phase 2 North (SVDC North) and the Morgana Run Booth Avenue Extension (MRBA), totaling 2.7 miles of trail extension.
“An investment of this magnitude is substantial because it allows Cleveland Metroparks and our partners to take a vision that’s been adopted by the community and transform it into reality, directly impacting the quality of life for residents who will greatly benefit from improved access and connectivity to the rapidly growing regional trail network,” Cleveland Metroparks CEO Brian Zimmerman said.
SVDC North will transform a four-lane urban road into a multimodal street. Items of work will include installing a 1.7-mile-long and 10-foot-wide trail, upgrading street lighting and high-visibility crosswalks. Seven traffic signals will be replaced or enhanced, and the decks of three bridges will be modified to accommodate the trail.
MRBA will build a 1-mile long and10-foot-wide trail to connect two existing trails. The project will relocate overhead powerlines, build a pedestrian refuge island at a busy section and shift vehicle lanes on a bridge to make room for the trail on the bridge deck. Improvements will be made to street lighting and landscaping.
The project’s purpose is to reduce injuries and fatalities of pedestrians and cyclists, reduce car dependency and expand access to active and public transportation options.
Bidding and contracting will begin in mid-2025. Construction is estimated to start in October 2025.
Metroparks Toledo received $19.1 million for the Reconnect Toledo’s Historic Neighborhoods project. The project will complete a portion of a 1-mile path connecting residential neighborhoods to the Glass City Riverwalk.
“With this award, we are one step closer to realizing the full vision for a renewed Maumee Riverfront, one that will benefit all Toledoans and serve as a symbol of our City’s resilience and resurgence,” Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur said.
The project will construct a 12-foot-wide multiuse path and make improvements on the east and west sides of the Maumee River, including installing public restrooms, river overlook areas and a kayak launch. Additional improvements include planting trees, installing park benches, additional parking and improved access to public green spaces.
When complete, the project will provide an off-road shared-use route for pedestrians and cyclists to travel separate from vehicles, reducing injuries and fatalities.
Bidding and contract awards are planned for early 2026. Construction is estimated to begin April 2026 and continue through 2028.
The 2024 RAISE awards bring the total amount of RAISE grants to more than $7.2 billion for more than 550 projects nationwide. The RAISE program equally supports urban and rural areas, with a significant portion of funding awarded to historically disadvantaged areas. The discretionary program funds critical freight and passenger transportation projects.
