A statement from Ohio Department of Transportation Director Pamela Vest-Boratyn:

After 40 years, ODOT is undertaking a realignment of several District boundaries. Why? We need to modernize. We need to align our boundaries with the reality of the communities we serve today, not the ones we served in the 1980s. Our population, traffic patterns and economies have shifted. This initiative will not happen overnight as it will take time to transition the many facets of our operations (budgets, reports, and a host of internal functions). However, please be assured that cohesive planning and construction, and other core operations with our public and private transportation partners will be of the highest priority, and we expect to continue our workflows and relationships with as little disruption as possible.  

Here is what is moving:

Defiance County will transition to District 2.
Mercer and Auglaize will transition to District 1.
Greene and Preble will transition to District 7.
Fayette County will transition to District 8.

ODOT’s reasons for making these changes, since the last realignment four decades ago, are very practical. First, common sense geography. We are ending the fragmentation. For example, the Dayton Metro area - specifically Greene and Montgomery counties and the I-675 corridor - will finally be part of one District. The same goes for I-70 from Preble to Greene County being the responsibility of District 7, while the US-24 corridor toward Toledo will now be unified in District 2. Second, simplified partnerships. Currently, we have local planning partners (MPOs and RTPOs) that must coordinate with multiple ODOT districts to get things done. That’s inefficient. ODOT’s transition will align its borders with local planning partners, streamlining operations, especially for the Miami Valley Regional PO, Western Central Ohio Rural PO, and Darke Preble Shelby RTPO. Third, we need to balance all work among the counties within the Districts so no single team is overwhelmed while another is underutilized as some districts have seen increased lane mile, bridge, and capital capacity volumes and an increased need of resources.

ODOT has been reviewing and working on a solid plan for this realignment over the past couple of years and knows that the time has come to implement change. We believe it is critical to address change to maintain our mission. I am happy to discuss any questions you may have, but I also recommend you speak to the Deputy Director of the affected districts as they will have the most updated information of workings on the local level and with central office. Thank you! ODOT appreciates your patience and support as we move forward. 

Pamela Vest-Boratyn
Director
Ohio Department of Transportation
1980 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43223 
Office: 614-466-2336
transportation.ohio.gov