Akron 2026 Capital Budget Allocates $85 Million to Road and Transit Projects, Projected to Add Construction Positions

The Akron mayor's administration released details of the 2026 capital budget on July 8, directing $85 million toward street resurfacing, bridge maintenance and expanded bus lanes along Main Street and Market Street corridors.

City council passed the measure last month after reviewing requests from the public works department for projects that address aging infrastructure built in the 1960s and 1970s. The allocation draws on a combination of local property tax revenue and state transportation grants that became available earlier this year.

Effects on resident travel and hiring

Residents who drive daily routes between downtown and the Goodyear Heights neighborhood will see sections of East Market Street closed for milling and repaving starting in September. The same document lists new concrete pads for bus shelters along three routes that serve the University of Akron campus and the Akron Children's Hospital area.

Local advocates note that the transit improvements are expected to shorten wait times at stops near the Cascade Plaza and the Akron Civic Theatre. The budget document states that contractors must hire at least 30 percent of their crews from addresses inside city limits for the duration of each contract.

Budget figures and next steps

The 2026 capital plan lists $52 million for pavement work and $33 million for signal upgrades and bus lane markings, figures taken directly from the line items approved by council. The government says the policy will generate approximately 180 temporary construction positions over the next 18 months.

Bid documents for the first round of resurfacing contracts will be posted on the city website on July 15, with awards scheduled for late August. The public works department will hold a pre-bid meeting at the Akron Engineering Bureau office on July 22 for interested firms.