04/03/2023

Governor DeWine Signs $13.5 Billion Transportation Budget

DeWine did not veto any provisions in House Bill 23

On March 31, 2023, Governor Mike DeWine joined Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Jack Marchbanks and members of the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate to sign House Bill 23, the state’s next two-year transportation budget.

The bill, which takes effect July 1, directs how the state will spend approximately $13.5 billion in state and federal revenue over the next two years. House Bill 23 also implements a series of changes aimed at improving public safety and making Ohio a great place to do business.

"Safety remains the priority in everything we do," said 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."

Under DeWine's direction, Ohio has expanded its safety program to lead the country in safety spending per capita and is the fourth largest in total spending on transportation safety in the country. 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 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."

House Bill 23 also provides nearly $7.5 billion for ODOT to use for state highway improvements. This includes more than $2.2 billion for pavement upgrades, $700 million for bridge improvements, $964 million for local government programs and projects, $200 million for transit and $579 million for major projects funded by the Transportation Review Advisory Council.

Please select this link to read the complete press release from the governor's office.