Emergency Program

[March 30, 2020] The Emergency Program is on hold until further notice due to the unavailability of funding. Please watch the OPWC's Home Page for updated messages concerning the status of OPWC funding. We recognize that other emergency funding sources are difficult to locate but potential options include Ohio Emergency Management Agency and USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program which includes funds for transportation facilities such as streets, roads and bridges in 33 Ohio counties that had disasters declared. The contact for OEMA is Steve Ferryman, saferryman@dps.ohio.gov, and for USDA RD is Joshua Smith, joshua.smith7@usda.gov.

OPWC reserves funding for emergency projects that arise directly out of catastrophic situations that involve an immediate threat to public health and safety, require immiediate action, and for which there is no alternative way of addressing the project through local funding or other resources. Emergency funds are reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis, with funding requests accepted year round dependent on funding availability. The current annual allocation is $3.5 million.The current transportation budget bill, H.B. 62 of the 133rd General Assembly, permits the OPWC Director to increase funding up to 6% (from the current 2%) of the State Capital Improvement Program starting July 1, 2021. 

If you believe you have a project that qualifies as an emergency begin by contacting the appropriate program representative. The program representative will determine if you should submit qualifying documentation (below) for the Director's consideration.The Director will review and make a decison based on the nature of the emergency, the financial need of the community, the urgency, and other information supplied with the reqeust.

Based on the Director’s review of this information a Letter of Approval/non-approval will formally notify the applicant of the outcome. If approved, an OPWC Application for Financial Assistance is required to issue a formal agreement with Authorizing Legislation, CFO Certification, and signed/stamped Engineer’s Weighted Useful Life Statement if not previously provided.

The applicant must complete the Pre-Application, which contains the following, and attach additional information as described.

  • Describe the nature of the emergency — Provide a description of the project and the reason for the emergency. Describe the event and the threat to health and safety. This includes the loss of vital or emergency services requiring an unreasonable delay or detour. Problems resulting from neglect, inadequate maintenance, poor planning, or caused by aging and/or normal deterioration are ineligible.
  • Status of alternative infrastructure — Is other infrastructure available to compensate for the failed system? Include information on any alternative routes for road and bridge projects.
  • Availability of other funding sources — Are any other funds (federal, state or local) available? List any other funding agencies that have been contacted.
  • History — How long has the applicant been aware of the problem?
  • Project Schedule — The project must be ready to proceed immediately. Include a project schedule.

Include the following documentation:

  • Photographs and a map showing the location of the emergency, include ADT counts, and any possible detours required for emergency and residential access, if applicable.
  • A detailed cost estimate from a registered professional engineer with a useful life statement. 
  • Provide any additional information deemed relevant (e.g. letters from local officials and residents, newspaper reports, etc.).

The pre-application with required documentation must be sent via email to the appropriate OPWC program representative.

If you have been selected and notified that you are eligible for Emergency Program funding, please fill out the application below. The Ohio Public Works Commission uses one project application for funding for all infrastructure programs including SCIP, LTIP, Emergency, Small Government and Loan Assistance/Credit Enhancement. Please use the links below for the application instructions, forms, and required attachments.

Application Instructions 

Application Form              

Application Attachment Templates:

•  Authorizing Legislation 

•  CFO Certification of Local Funds and Repayment Letter 

•  Engineer's Estimate and Useful Life Statement 

•  Cooperative Agreement (Multiple Jurisdictions) 

•  Farmland Preservation Review Letter 

 

4th Street Culvert Repair, Tipp City

Sinkhole Repairs, City of Toledo

Emergency Road Repairs, Gallia County

Culvert Repair, Licking County