Richardson Supports Largest Transportation Budget in Ohio's History

COLUMBUS – After passing the biennium transportation budget through the Ohio House of Representatives earlier in the month, State Representative Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville) has supported the updated version of the budget after the House and Senate conferenced this week to work out the final details.

The updated version of the budget is the largest commitment of highway infrastructure spending in Ohio history with $13.5 billion in appropriations for the state’s transportation system.  

“This large of an investment is a signal from the general assembly that we are invested in providing safe, reliable and expansive transportation for Ohioans,” Richardson said. “I’m pleased we could find common ground with the Senate to get the budget finished so we can improve access to career opportunities.” 

Across Ohio $2.2 billion will be used to improve road surfaces, $717 million for bridges and $360 million for safety upgrades. The transportation budget will also reduce the registration fee for plug-in hybrid vehicles from $200 to $150 annually. 

The general assembly has also added railroad and public safety additions to the legislation to address the recent train derailment in East Palestine, including a two-person crew to operate a train on Ohio’s rail lines, wayside side detectors positioned every 10 miles and train conductors informed of any wayside detector defects on their route. Ohio railroad tracks must also be outfitted with hot boxes and hot bearing detectors, acoustic bearing detectors and cameras installed on or alongside railroad tracks.

The budget will now head to the governor’s office for a final consideration before being signed into law.