On Friday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed the state's transportation budget for the next two years. The bill will take affect on July 1, and explains how the Buckeye State will utilize the approximately $13.5 billion in state and federal revenue over the next two years.
House Bill 23 plans to implement a series of changes that will improve public safety and making Ohio a great place to do business.
“Safety remains the priority in everything we do,” said Governor DeWine. “I’m thankful for the partnership of the Ohio General Assembly in strengthening safety requirements for railroads, supporting the historic Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project, and investing in transportation projects that make our state safer and a better place to do business.”
The new budget includes $360 million over two years in dedicated highway safety funding that will be used to address dangerous intersections, make travel safer for bicyclists and pedestrians, and help local governments fund critical projects.
“I applaud the Governor and the Ohio General Assembly for continuing to prioritize safety in this transportation budget,” said Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Dr. Jack Marchbanks. “Our mission is to provide for the safe and easy movement of people and goods from place to place and this budget gives us the funding we need to do that.”
The bill also provides roughly $7.5 billion for ODOT to use for state highway improvements such as pavement upgrades, bridge improvements, transit, and local government programs and projects.
The bill also looks to prepare Ohio for future investment and growth with $30 million in Roadwork Development Grants through the Ohio Department of Development and $10 million for a transformative statewide transportation study.
Approximately $3 billion in House Bill 23 appropriations are designated for the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project. The project is set to begin construction by the end of year to transform travel to and through Cincinnati. The anticipated total project cost is $3.6 billion, which will be shared by Ohio, Kentucky, and the federal government.
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Source: DelphosHerald.com
