FY26 Local Transportation Improvement Program (LTIP)

The Local Transportation Improvement Program was established by the Ohio legislature in 1989 to support public infrastructure improvements across the state. Administered by the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC), the program is funded through a small portion of the state’s annual gasoline tax receipts, currently less than one penny per gallon, totaling approximately sixty-one million dollars. These funds are constitutionally restricted for use on road and bridge projects. As such, the program is open exclusively to Ohio’s counties, cities, villages, and townships that seek to improve their local transportation infrastructure. The primary objective of the Local Transportation Improvement Program is to provide grants that can cover up to one hundred percent of project costs for eligible applicants. Funds may be used for a range of public infrastructure projects that focus specifically on roads and bridges. The intent is to alleviate financial burdens on local governments by providing substantial financial support for critical transportation improvements. OPWC offers flexibility in the disbursement of funds, allowing direct payments to contractors or reimbursements to the award recipients. Eligible applicants must submit their applications through OPWC’s online portal, WorksWise. To access WorksWise, applicants must obtain a username and password from their OPWC Program Representative. The portal provides comprehensive resources, including online training and district-specific information, to guide applicants through the process. Each OPWC District has its own requirements, scoring methodologies, and deadlines, so applicants are encouraged to consult their respective District’s page for detailed guidance. Applications require the submission of several key documents. Mandatory attachments include authorizing legislation, a CFO certification of local funds and loan repayment letter, an engineer's estimate and useful life statement, a project map, and a cooperative agreement if applicable. Districts may require additional documents, and applicants are advised to check their District’s supplemental requirements. The application should be submitted once in WorksWise, but applicants may upload alternate financial documents to accommodate different scoring for the State Capital Improvements Program versus the Local Transportation Improvement Program. Once submitted, applications are reviewed and approved by the respective District Integrating Committees, typically in late fall or early winter. Approved applications are forwarded to OPWC, which prepares and sends out project agreements around July 1. Projects must establish a capital projects fund to account for both OPWC assistance and local matching funds if applicable. OPWC requires verification that vendors are registered in the Ohio Supplier Portal and provides flexibility regarding payment methods. The program offers further administrative guidance, such as handling schedule extensions due to unforeseen circumstances and providing instructions for final project closeout and loan repayments if applicable. OPWC emphasizes transparency and accessibility, offering direct links for applicants to monitor disbursement status and loan billing through its public portal. The fiscal year 2026 funding cycle opens on June 10, 2025, and closes on July 1, 2025. Projects funded under this cycle are expected to commence on July 1, 2025, and conclude by June 30, 2026. For additional information or assistance, applicants can contact Nick Rose at Nick.Rose@pwc.ohio.gov or refer to the staff directory on the OPWC website.