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 Jim Thomas (R-Jackson Twp.).

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.

“This budget is a huge win for Ohio’s infrastructure,” Thomas said. “Smart, purposeful investments are being made for our public safety and transportation systems which will make Ohio a more attractive place to live and do business.”

Highlights of the bill include:

·         Committing $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 support the employment needs of economically significant employment centers.

·         Investing $2.2 billion for pavement, $717 million for bridges, $360 million for dedicated safety upgrades, and $1.5 billion for large, capacity adding projects like those that are reconfiguring our urban interstates.  

·         Continuing research to find 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.

The legislation now heads to Governor DeWine for his signature.