Akron Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Last week during Infrastructure Week, U.S. Representative Emilia Strong Sykes (OH-13) celebrated projects made possible by the historic federal investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which are improving quality of life, restoring economic competitiveness, and creating good-paying jobs in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District. As the only Ohioan on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Sykes also highlighted her efforts to improve rail safety and invest in our community’s infrastructure with Community Project Funding.

“Ohio’s 13th Congressional District is already seeing the benefits of investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at work,” Rep. Sykes said. “While House Republicans attempt to force a devasting default on our nation’s debt, I am focused on ensuring our communities reap the maximum benefits from historic infrastructure funding. In my district, projects like replacing the Goodyear Boulevard Bridge, repaving well-travelled roads in Summit and Stark Counties, or enhancing the Akron-Canton and Kent State University airports are improving quality of life, creating jobs, and strengthening our economic competitiveness.”

“But this is only the beginning,” Rep. Sykes continued. “As the only Ohioan on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I continue to advocate for legislation that strengthens our infrastructure, including my bipartisan RAIL Act, which would improve rail safety and prevent future train derailments. I am also proud to advocate for funding for community projects that will improve the infrastructure of our airports and bridges, ensure residents in our district have clean water to drink, and revitalize our neighborhoods while creating good-paying jobs.”

The BIL invests $1.2 trillion nationwide to strengthen infrastructure, ensuring good paying jobs and long-term economic growth.  The BIL has also delivered more than $13.45 million to key projects in Ohio’s 13th District, including:

• $4.9 million to repave and improve the bridge on SR-8 from Graham Rd. to SR-303 in Summit County
• $3.8 million to improve the Akron-Canton Airport
• $2 million to replace the Goodyear Blvd bridge over the Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroad in Summit County
• $1.13 million to repave U.S. 30 from Trump Ave to SR 44 in Stark County
• $960,000 to the City of Akron for the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program
• $360,000 to improve signal and turn lane SR 687 from Frank Ave to Everhard Rd in Stark County
• $304,000 to improve the Kent State University Airport in Summit County

Through this year’s appropriation process for FY24, Rep. Sykes  submitted several local community projects for consideration that would improve the infrastructure of Ohio’s 13th District, totaling $28.96 million. The project submissions include:

• $5 million to support the Summit County High Level Bridge Replacement Planning and Design
• $5 million to repair the Kent State University Airport hangar
• $5 million for the City of Canton to reshape East Tuscarawas St. to improve driver and pedestrian safety by reducing the width of the roadway at pedestrian crossing areas
• $2.4 million for the Akron-Canton Airport to construct a West Apron
• $832,500 for the City of Massillon to replace 12 flood control sluice gates
• $2.18 million for the City of Canal Fulton to construct a new water tower
• $3.57 million for the City of Hudson to connect two major transmission mains within the City water system
• $3.57 million for the City of New Franklin to extend sewer and water from existing systems to Portage Lakes State Park
• $500,000 to the City of North Canton to establish a new water well
• $904,000 for the Village of Silver Lake to construct new sanitary sewer and closure of the overflow into Silver Lake

During Infrastructure Week (May 15-19), staff from Rep. Sykes’ district office met with infrastructure leaders in Summit and Stark Counties and toured the community project sites in North Canton, Canal Fulton, Akron, New Franklin, Massillon, and Stow.

Rep. Sykes also continues to call for the passage of her bipartisan RAIL Act, which would improve railway safety and rail infrastructure, protect our communities, and hold negligent railroad corporations accountable. In April, Rep. Sykes hosted “Rail Week” to highlight the need to improve rail safety and infrastructure in Ohio’s 13th District. 

Original source can be found here.