Columbiana County to receive $1.8M for bikeway, sidewalk improvements

The Ohio Department of Transportation has announced that more than $1.8 million in grants will be awarded to Columbiana County over the next three years to improve safety for bicycle and pedestrian traffic through the Transportation Alternatives Program. A total of $52 million in funding will support projects in 33 counties.

The Columbiana County Park District will receive $1,282,283 in 2026 to resurface and repair stretches along 12 miles of the Little Beaver Creek Greenway Trail.

For 2028, the City of Columbiana will receive $560,000 for a sidewalk project on Springfield Road and East Park Avenue. The proposed sidewalk will be located on the west side of Springfield Avenue to the entrance of the Firestone Recreational Park parking lot. A second pedestrian route will begin at the existing sidewalk on the south side of East Park Avenue at the Springfield Road intersection to Whispering Pines Villas, just west of the intersection with State Route 14.

"The Transportation Alternatives Program makes investments to support safer, more connected spaces for walking and biking,” Gov. Mike DeWine said.

The program provides funding for projects around the state, including pedestrian and bicycle facilities, infrastructure projects for improving access to public transportation, community improvement activities, recreational trails, and Safe Routes to School projects.

“Biking and walking are modes of transportation that are fun, foster connections, support local economies, and contribute to a healthier lifestyle," said ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn.

Projects are selected based on committee recommendations and a scoring system focusing on safety, connectivity, and preservation. Investments were prioritized in areas with demand for walking and biking and implementation readiness.

Funding awards emphasized short-term infrastructure projects that could be delivered quickly, as well as infrastructure projects of statewide significance.