(The Center Square) – The Ohio House of Representatives unanimously passed an $11.8 billion bipartisan transportation budget Wednesday afternoon that spends $8 billion on state highways and nearly $200 million on public transportation over the next two years.
The House version now heads to the Senate.
“The Ohio Transportation Budget will have a lasting impact on countless people because it creates employment opportunities and helps Ohioans get to their jobs and businesses,” said House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington. “This budget will improve our critical infrastructure with billions of dollars in investments, it will make it easier for workers to get to new and existing worksites where they can earn better paychecks, it keeps workers safe on the job site, and it will drive economic development to our major cities as well as rural areas that deserve more investment.”
The budget also continues distrubtion of gas tax revenue to cities, counties and townships across the state to help with local maintenance efforts.
Another $18 million was carved out for the state’s Transportation Improvement Districts, a form of local government promoting public-private cooperation to develop transportation resources.
It also funds a pilot program to check for speeders in construction areas but prohibits using traffic cameras, and the budget continues funding for the Brent Spence Bridge program connecting Cincinnati and Kentucky in southwest Ohio.
Also, $50,000 over two years is committed to join the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact that includes Illinois, Indiana Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota and Wisconsin to promote, coordinate and support regional improvements to passenger rail.
“This Transportation Budget makes smart, strategic investments that will help strengthen Ohio’s infrastructure, create good-paying jobs, and better connect our workforce to job opportunities. By funding key bipartisan priorities, we’re ensuring more Ohioans can get to work, school, and essential services while also supporting job creation and economic growth,” said Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney, D-Westlake.
