Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur joined officials from the Ohio Department of Transportation to tour a solar research project located on Interstate 280.

"Working together with state transportation officials, we are determined to make our community a leader in a national effort to achieve energy independence," Kaptur said.

Kaptur, ODOT District 2 Deputy Director Dave Dysard and other officials toured the solar array on a sunny, windy day near the interstate exchange in north Toledo.

"This innovative project is part of the completion of the Veterans Glass City Skyway," said Kaptur.

The project was made possible by a $1.5 million federal award. Power from the project will be used to provide most of the power needed to light the massive bridge over the Maumee River. The Unviersity of Toledo and private corporations will study the performance of the solar array for use in designing competitive solar products that are manufactured in northwest Ohio.