DOTE is Requesting Funding to Launch New In-house Work Crew Focused on Expediting Pedestrian Safety Projects

This year, Cincinnati City Council approved $2.349M in the FY22 budget and $5.85M in the FY23 budget for pedestrian safety. While this is a significant investment in our city's infrastructure, the rising cost of materials and labor due to inflation, labor shortages, and other external factors means fewer improvements will be constructed even though the Department has received additional funding from previous years.

As a result of these increases, the Department of Transportation & Engineering (DOTE) has examined ways to reduce costs and improve customer service. Last week, DOTE proposed hiring a five-person, in-house crew to perform some construction activities such as installing pre-made rubber speed cushions and speed humps, signage etc. year-round. This proposal will be more cost effective for the City in the long term, and will allow DOTE to be more responsive and timely with safety improvements. On an annual basis, after a one-time equipment cost, this new pedestrian safety crew would cost approximately $450k, amounting to a yearly savings of $250,000 to $300,000.

As DOTE is seeing higher construction costs in all the other projects and programs, the City believes a new pedestrian safety crew will enable us to reduce costs, improve customer service and be more responsive and timely. The City Administration & DOTE look forward to Council's vote and decision this week on the proposal.

UPDATE 10/5/2022: City Council approved DOTE's plan for the new work crew on 10/5/2022.