A $24M upgrade for U.S. 6

HURON — The federal government on Tuesday steered millions of dollars into Erie County to improve a major east-to-west waterfront corridor. But why? This $24.5 million grant award occurred due to unprecedented cooperation among those representing area governments — namely Erie County, Sandusky, Huron and Perkins Township — who set aside their partisan politics for those living, working and traveling through the area. A similar scenario played out in Washington: U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo; U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio; U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio; and U.S. Department of Transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg all personally vouched for the proposal. Through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant program, it provides necessary funding so local officials can pursue a massive transformation along U.S. 6. It'll occur along a 6-mile stretch between Sycamore Line (U.S. 250) in Sandusky and Rye Beach Road in Huron. Local officials coined this area the U.S. 6 Connectivity Corridor, which encompasses Sports Force Parks and the Cedar Point Sports Center, various Erie MetroParks properties and Sawmill Creek by Cedar Point Resorts. In short, the money intends to: • Enhance safety for both motorists and pedestrians • Increase efficiency as far as traffic flow goes • Improve multimodal transportation options More specifically, the funds call for extending the Sandusky Bay Pathway and replacing five intersections with roundabouts. This would include a crossing at East Perkins Avenue where it slopes by Osborn MetroPark. Officials, in the application, noted the corridor "serves as one of the (area's) major transportation routes, is considered vital infrastructure as it supports an $11 billion tourism economy and provides access to the premier tourist destinations in Ohio." "We're excited to be a part of the next big thing driving Erie County's economic development engine," said Erie County commissioner Pat Shenigo, who lobbied for this grant proposal, submitted earlier this year. "This corridor includes large tracks of undeveloped properties that we hope will attract many new businesses to the area." The grant award follows a study, which incorporated public input and feedback, conducted in 2019. "We're excited because it brings together public and private partnerships," Erie Regional Planning director Tim King said. Local officials pegged the total project cost at about $35 million. Erie County previously secured $5 million from the Ohio Department of Transportation. Contributions from local communities directly impacted by these changes should offset the balance. Surveying and engineering recently started, and officials believe all work could end by 2025. "Thanks to all of our community partners and the folks at the Ohio Department of Transportation, this would not have been possible," Shenigo said. Sounding off Several officials spoke about the federal grant's significance: • Erie County commissioner Pat Shenigo: What a game changer for Erie County. We have clearly been recognized and rewarded for the redevelopment investments that our local governments have made over the last several years. This $24.5 million federal grant is one of the largest our community has ever received and the largest Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant given in the state of Ohio. These corridor improvements will only serve to provide further development opportunities to complement our indoor and outdoor sports facilities and showcase our waterfront. • U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo: Thanks to bipartisan collaboration, the jobs and infrastructure bill is helping deliver commonsense investments in jobs, roads and quality of life for Erie County. By deploying federal dollars to this crucial project, we will make necessary safety and efficiency improvements while bringing to life the Sandusky Bay Pathway. • Sandusky city manager Eric Wobser: This grant will catalyze the completion of the Sandusky Bay Pathway, a regional pathway connecting citizens and visitors to our greatest natural resources, Sandusky Bay/Lake Erie. The pathway will provide a safe multi-purpose path linking Sandusky and Huron, providing multi-modal connections to community assets including downtown Sandusky, Cedar Point, the Pipe Creek Wilderness Area, the Cedar Point Sports Center and several local metroparks. Additionally, improvements to U.S. 6 will create roundabouts and other improvements that will improve traffic flow and spur the development of this important corridor that welcomes millions of visitors annually to the shores and islands region. • Erie County Chamber of Commerce director Joe Roman: The grant will enable communities from Sandusky to the Huron and all of Erie County to invest in better and safer infrastructure while also connecting communities from the urban core through other municipalities and townships and will help to showcase our lakefront to both our current residents and the future ones that we need to attract. • Huron city manager Matt Lasko: In no time in recent memory has this level of public-private partnership been displayed to galvanize around such a critical project. From nonprofit partners, private sector employers to countless political jurisdictions and state agencies, uniting for the future of Erie County. This dynamic project will address critical intersection needs to move traffic quicker and more safely through the corridor, spur additional economic investment and tourist activity and enhance recreational amenities for all residents and visitors. • Perkins Township administrator Gary Boyle: The announcement of the grant award will provide important funding that will serve to improve our community as well as other communities by creating a safer and more efficient road system, and by providing funding for the Sandusky Bay Pathway. • Erie County commissioner Matt Old: This will be a major upgrade to a key Erie County-traveled corridor. We are very excited to receive the funds to move this project forward. These improvements represent one of the largest investments in our infrastructure in may decades. We appreciate the support from local partners and the state. • Sandusky ex officio mayor Dick Brady: We have a lot of people to thank for this award. Congresswoman Kaptur and senators Brown and Portman all put partisan politics aside for the benefit of our communities. Both the Ohio Department of Transportation and Erie Regional Planning provided invaluable leadership during the application process. This is a great example of how governments work best: when they work together. • Erie County administrator Hank Solowiej: What a historic win for Erie County. I am absolutely excited about Erie County being awarded over $24 million for the U.S. 6 connectivity corridor project. This will be a legacy project in which the impact will be felt for generations to come.