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 Assistant Majority Whip Sharon Ray (R-Wadsworth). 

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. 

“I am proud to support this historic funding that will improve our communities by expanding Ohio’s infrastructure and creating more jobs,” said Ray. 

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.

Some 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.

- Providing reliable transportation routes for workers in rural parts of the state who otherwise might be forced to relocate in order to gain employment.

- 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.

House Bill 23 awaits the Governor’s signature.