That's because by yesterday's deadline, more than 3,000 potential projects totaling as much as $9 billion were submitted for consideration to a state Web site by Ohio counties, cities, towns and other groups.

The Ohio Department of Transportation is gathering additional information about the projects to determine which are eligible for the stimulus funding. It will submit a final list of projects to Washington by March 17.

"Even though we know we don't have enough money I think it's a remarkable opportunity to see what the need really is in the state of Ohio," state Transportation Director Jolene Molitoris said yesterday.

During a visit to the U.S. Department of Transportation, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden announced the $28 billion in transportation funding nationwide from the $787 billion federal stimulus package.

Obama said the funding will create or retain 150,000 jobs by the end of next year and is "part of the largest new investment in America's infrastructure since President (Dwight) Eisenhower built the Interstate Highway System."

The $935.7 million for Ohio includes specific allocations for urban, suburban and rural areas, as well as money for bike paths, sidewalks and other "transportation enhancements."

The transportation department is creating a priority list of about $774 million in projects by March 17. The remaining $161.5 million will be awarded by the state's major metropolitan planning organizations during the next year.

The transportation funding is part of $8.3 billion coming to the state based on federal formulas, of which Gov. Ted Strickland is using $5.8 billion for the state budget.

Officials have said projects that don't receive transportation funding might be eligible for other stimulus dollars being awarded by federal agencies using discretionary and competitive grants.

Meanwhile, communities hoping to get some of the estimated $276.5 million in stimulus money being allocated to Ohio for sewer lines, wastewater-treatment plants or drinking-water facilities have until 5 p.m. Friday to submit their projects to recovery.ohio.gov for consideration.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency already has received project funding requests worth about $4 billion, the state said yesterday.

Those who apply will be given information on how to access and fill out a pre-application or nomination form, which should be completed and returned to the Ohio EPA no later than March 13.

The agency will compile a list ranking the projects for funding and submit it for final approval to the U.S. EPA "as soon as possible," spokeswoman Melissa Fazekas said.

The state said it will release a draft "Intended Use Plan" including the list of projects, which will be subject to public comment and hearing requirements.

mniquette@dispatch.com