Uncertainty about future federal funding might delay Ohio's ability to commit money to the construction of the Ohio 63 extension in Butler County and three other road projects in fast-growing suburban areas.

        The Ohio Department of Transportation's project review board will meet today in Columbus to discuss possible state funding for more than 50 road projects.

        The review board — called the Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) — had planned to decide at this meeting what projects to fund for construction in 2006.

        But Michael Cull, TRAC spokesman, said the board probably won't commit money for construction for any projects today.

        TRAC usually has a $300 million pot to divvy up. But the five-year law authorizing federal transportation construction runs out in 2003.

        TRAC officials believe the amount of money in the next five-year authorization will be about the same as before, but has no guarantees yet, Mr. Cull said.

        As a result, TRAC probably will do nothing more today than authorize money for preliminary work for certain projects, Mr. Cull said.

        Butler County has asked TRAC for $63 million for the extension of Ohio 63 from Salzman Road in Monroe to U.S. 127, north of Seven Mile. The county will spend $28 million on the project.

        Butler officials consider this project their top priority.

        Butler County Engineer Greg Wilkens said a long delay in TRAC's funding commitment for construction could jeopardize the county's ability to acquire right-of-way for the Ohio 63 extension.

        Butler plans to begin buying right-of-way at the end of January. The first planned acquisition is 25 acres.

        “If they come to some conclusion by the end of the year, it would be OK with us,” Mr. Wilkens said. “But a delay beyond that, it becomes problematic.”

        Other local projects TRAC is considering are:

        • A proposed Interstate 75 intersection at Greentree Road in Warren County. Middletown Regional Hospital wants to move to a Greentree site so that it can expand.

        • The widening of a one-mile stretch of Ohio 22 (Montgomery Road) at I-275 for $9.1 million.

        • The widening of the New Haven Road bridge over I-74 in Harrison for $4.9 million.

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