Lawrence County residents voted in favor of a public works program that funds upgrades to roads, bridges and other local infrastructure needs.

A little more than 5,000 people voted for the State Capital Improvement Program with 60 percent supporting.

The issue also passed 2-to-1 statewide and renews the 27-year-old program for 10 more years. The issue will allow the state to borrow $1.875 billion over 10 years through the issuance of general obligation bonds.

The Ohio Public Works Commission would then use the funds to provide grants and loans to local governments for capital improvement projects. Those could include repairs to roadways, wastewater treatment systems and sanitary collection.

Lawrence County Engineer Doug Cade said he was pleased with the outcome of the vote.

“I think it’s great,” he said. “It will allow us to continue to make capital improvements in the county for paving roads, sanitary sewer and water systems. This is one way for the local community to get money from the state sales tax for those types of improvements. It says, ‘Hey, we want to spend that money locally.’”

Cade previously said Lawrence County typically receives between $900,000 and $1.2 million per year for road and sewer projects through the program.