DeWine Signs Ohio Transportation Budget Without Veto

columbus, Ohio (WCMH) — Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law a $13.5 billion transportation budget Friday afternoon.

The amount is big, but the chairman like a member of parliament House Finance Committee Rep. Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville) said what makes this historic is the details and how it all came together.

“We were able to make this massive investment without any new tax hikes or fee hikes for our employees,” Edwards said. “Actually, we’ve had input from both the minority and majority parties, the House and Senate, and the governor.”

Of the $13.5 billion in state and federal revenues invested, $7.5 billion will be used to improve highways statewide.

“Ohio is still #1 in the nation for highway safety spending per capita,” said DeWine. “And we’re very proud of that.”

The budget also invests $10 million in statewide transportation studies, which DeWine said will identify needs that will lead to actionable recommendations.

“Certainly, it is clear that we need better transportation plans, including between Toledo and Columbus,” he said.

Railway safety is also a major focus of the bill. Relevant regulations mandate a crew of two and tighten the requirements for railway wayside detectors.

“For the first time in over 30 years, after the tragic derailment in East Palestine, today we are enacting real safety rules,” said Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney, D-Westlake. .

In addition, Cincinnati’s Brent Spence Bridge Corridor has been allocated $3 billion to cross the Ohio River.

The total project cost is expected to be $3.6 billion, borne by the states of Ohio, Kentucky, and the federal government. But DeWine said Ohio has a budget in its transportation budget because it’s the primary agency that manages contracts.

“Safe and efficient transportation is key to keeping Ohio moving,” says DeWine.

The bill included a proposal for a new interchange along Interstate 71, intended to ease traffic congestion in Strongsville. It may be targeting a residential area of ​​Boston Road in Brunswick.

but A resident there told FOX 8 News They feared losing their homes to eminent domain foreclosures, declining property values, and truck congestion.

Brunswick City Council Speaker Nick Hanek called the proposal “devastating” and said the city had asked the governor’s office to veto an item on the proposal.

The governor signed a transportation budget without veto, which he said had never happened since he took office. It will be enforced from July 1st.