Ohio House Approves Historic State Transportation Budget

COLUMBUS—The Ohio House of Representatives yesterday passed House Bill 23, the historic state transportation budget for fiscal years 2024-25, announced State Rep. Jamie Callender (R-Concord). 

As a result of this legislation, the state will invest $13.5 billion in Ohio’s transportation system over the next two years, the largest infrastructure investment in Ohio’s history. 

“Today’s concurrence vote on the State’s Transportation Budget reaffirms Ohio’s commitment to both its residents and businesses,” said Callender. “With this investment, Ohioans will have expanded access to career opportunities and the numerous arts, cultural, and natural wonders of this great state.”

The State’s transportation budget allocates funds for the Department of Transportation’s infrastructure maintenance and improvement plans over the next two years as well as makes other permanent law changes.

Highlights from the bill include:

- Funding $2.2 billion for pavement, $717 million for bridges, $360 million for dedicated safety upgrades, and $1.5 billion for large, capacity adding projects such as reconfiguring urban interstates.

- Investing $15 million to establish the Ohio Workforce Mobility Partnership Program, which allows one or more regional transit authorities (RTA) to work together to provide service for the workforce between the territories and supporting the employment needs of economically significant employment centers.

- Finding faster ways to connect areas of the state by funding the Strategic Transportation and Development Analysis to study links between Columbus and Sandusky and Columbus and Toledo.

House Bill 23 awaits the Governor’s signature.