Special OCA Bulletin (3/25/2020)
Statement to Construction Industry Partners Regarding COVID-19 Response
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ODOT Provides Additional Information Regarding Their COVID-19 Response
In an effort to communicate directly with Ohio’s highway construction industry, Lloyd MacAdam, ODOT’s Chief Engineer and Assistant Director for Transportation Policy, has issued the following statement. Based on the actions outlined in this statement, it is clear ODOT is monitoring the potential impacts from this pandemic and are being proactive in adjusting the program as they believe necessary to mitigate a slow-down in revenue generation while keeping the vast majority of the projects on their current schedule for start and completion. OCA will continue to communicate directly with ODOT leadership through these times and get you information that will impact your scheduling as the earliest possible opportunity.
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TO: The Ohio Contracting Community
FROM: Lloyd V. MacAdam. P.E., P.S. Chief Engineer, Assistant Director of Transportation Policy
SUBJECT: Statement to Construction Industry Partners Regarding COVID 19 Response
DATE: March 25th, 2020
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has heard from many of our partners in the construction industry regarding the uncertianty surrounding the current COVID-19/Coronavirus outbreak. As you know, at the direction of Governor DeWine, Dr. Amy Acton, Director of the Department of Health issued a
“Stay at Home” order on March 22nd 2020, to be effective at 11:59 pm on March 23rd.
Since the beginning, Governor DeWine has maintained that transportation infrastructure is essential to our economy during this time, as well as during the recovery that will surely follow. As a result, Section 9 of the order issued by Dr. Acton provides an exception for Essential Infrastructure. It specifically mentions roads, highways, railroads and public transportation. As such, ODOT remains committed to the timely delivery and adequate staffing our construction projects.
To date, ODOT has issued three notices to the industry to address our COVID 19 response as it relates to the administration of our Capital Construction Program. The most recent of these notices was sent to the industry on 3/24/2020. This information was also sent to the leadership of all 12 of our ODOT districts as guidance for working with our industry partners during this unprecedented time.
As you are aware, this situation has resulted in significant impacts to our economy. Many employeers have had to make the difficult decision to lay employees off. We we have seen a substantial increase in people working from home. The net effect will be certianly be a significant decrease in revenue generated from the Motor Fuel Tax. As a result yesterday, ODOT made the difficult, yet necessary decision to defer the following projects from our FY 2020 Major New Construction Program to the first two quarters of FY 2021.
• FRA-70/71-12.68/14.86 (Proj. 4R)
• HAM IR 74 18.01 (Phase 5B)
We will continue to monitor revenue projections and will make adjustments as necessary.
The health and safety of our employees and that of our industry partners is at this time and always at the forefront of our minds. While ODOT will not issue any specific guidance related to the current COVID 19/Coronavirus outbreak, we encourage the industry to follow their own established protocol and/or visit Coronavirus.ohio.gov for more information.
As this is a fluid situation, ODOT will continue to monitor developments, take appropriate action and keep our industry partners informed as plans evolve.
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