The Township Safety Sign Grant Program is a funding initiative by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) designed to enhance roadway safety by providing Ohio townships with necessary safety signage materials. The program offers up to $50,000 in safety signage materials per township, with a total annual funding cap of $2 million. The grant aims to improve traffic safety by ensuring that townships have adequate signage to guide motorists and reduce crash risks.

Eligible applicants for this grant include Ohio townships that have either never received funding under this program or received funding in 2018 or earlier. Priority is given to townships that have never applied before, ranked based on crash history severity over the past five years. Secondary priority is given to previously funded townships, also ranked by crash history severity.

The grant covers essential safety signage materials, including new and replacement safety signs, posts for installation, and necessary hardware to support the signs. This ensures that townships can either enhance existing signage or introduce new signs in areas where none previously existed. The program does not provide direct financial assistance but rather supplies the materials needed for improved roadway safety.

To apply for the grant, township representatives must complete several preparatory steps, including taking the Township Safety Sign Grant eLearning modules, reviewing their township’s crash history via the Highway Safety Map Room, and utilizing a ball bank indicator to assess roadway curves for proper advisory speed signage. Following these steps, applicants can fill out and submit the online application. A downloadable PDF draft application is available to assist with preparation before submitting the official online application.

Applications for the 2025 grant cycle are currently being accepted and must be submitted by Friday, June 6, 2025. Townships are advised to carefully follow all requirements to ensure eligibility and maximize their chances of receiving the grant. Additionally, township fiscal officers are encouraged to consult Auditor of State Bulletin 2000-08, which provides guidance on proper financial accounting for grant funds.

For further inquiries regarding the Township Safety Sign Grant Program, applicants can contact Tina Potter at 614-387-7359 or Victoria Beale at 614-466-3129. The Ohio Department of Transportation remains committed to supporting local townships in improving road safety through this targeted grant opportunity.