Kaptur Announces $2.2 Million Award to Bolster Transportation Safety Across Lucas, Ottawa, Wood, and Sandusky Counties

October 30, 2026 Press Release Toledo, OH — Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced that four Northwest Ohio counties will receive a total of $2,190,000 through the US Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Safe Streets and Roads for All program. Lucas, Ottawa, Wood, and Sandusky counties will all receive funding to support the planning and implementation of several transportation safety efforts. “Safer and more accessible transportation infrastructure will keep our families and businesses connected to the people and places that drive Northwest Ohio forward,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “This award improves more than just infrastructure—it protects lives and provides for thoughtful study and analysis of transportation issues that affect our entire region. By working together with Federal investments, our local communities are better equipped to deliver actionable change and identify future opportunities for growth.” "The 2026 Safe Streets and Roads for All grant will make a real difference on the rural roads that Sandusky County residents depend on every day," said Sandusky County Engineer Carlos Baez, PE, PS. "Our county's two-lane roads often have narrow shoulders, sharp curves, and limited lighting, and those conditions contribute to serious and fatal crashes. These funds will let us identify proven safety measures at places where they're needed most, so farmers, commuters, school buses, and families can all get where they're going safely." "The Safe Streets and Roads for All grant is a significant investment in the safety of everyone who travels Lucas County's roadways, whether they're driving, walking, biking, or riding transit," said Lucas County Engineer Mike Pniewski, PE, PS. "These funds will allow us to move forward identifying proven safety improvements at the locations where they're needed most, working alongside our partners in Sandusky, Wood, and Ottawa Counties. Our goal is simple: to reduce serious crashes and make sure every resident gets home safely." The Safer Streets and Roads for All program funds critical projects across the nation that prevent roadway fatalities and serious injuries. In Northwest Ohio, the awards will be used to institute a real-time railroad crossing information system integrated with 911 dispatch, conduct road safety audits, measure crash data, and assess agricultural vehicle conflicts, among others. Congresswoman Kaptur prioritizes bringing home funds that make Northwest Ohio stronger and safer. In December 2025, she secured a total of $1,275,370 in USDOT Safe Streets and Roads for All awards benefitting Lucas County, Ottawa County, and Sandusky County. In 2024, she secured $24.5 Million in awards from the same program for Lucas, Ottawa, Wood, and Sandusky counties. The Safe Streets and Roads for All program is made possible through the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law , for which Congresswoman Kaptur strongly advocated. # # # Issues : Trade Jobs and the Economy