On Friday, February 14th, the Ohio Department of Transportation released its statewide Strategic Transportation Development and Analysis (STDA) report. As a result of Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce (TRCC) advocacy efforts, $10M was included in the last transportation budget, HB23, to conduct the STDA. HB23 specifically calls out the connection between Toledo to Columbus and Sandusky to Columbus for study. Further, the statute called for actionable recommendations to be provided to the legislature no later than December 31, 2024. The release of the report was 45 days past due and provides no long-term solutions to address this issue, leaving the northwest Ohio business community both disappointed and dissatisfied with the findings. The lack of an efficient, predictable, safe connection is a hinderance to fostering an increased economic tie between northwest and central Ohio.