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House passes $11.4 billion transportation budget, funds airports, transit and study on asphalt vs. concrete
Summary
The Ohio House approved the two-year transportation budget (House Bill 54), allocating roughly $11.4 billion for roads, bridges and transportation programs, expanding airport funding, reestablishing workforce mobility funding for transit and directing studies on construction materials and passenger rail participation.
The Ohio House on Feb. 25 passed House Bill 54, the transportation budget for fiscal years beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2027, allocating approximately $11.4 billion for state transportation projects and programs.
Representative Stewart, sponsor of the bill, said the package fulfills the state’s duty to spend gasoline tax revenue on roads, bridges, airports and transit and includes $393 million for new highway construction. “This is a responsible, member-driven transportation budget that literally keeps Ohio moving,” Stewart said on the House floor.
Members described several specific programmatic inclusions: continuation of the Ohio Workforce Mobility Partnership Program (described on the floor as $15 million each fiscal year), increasing Transportation Improvement District (TID) funding to $9 million per year, redirecting a portion of aviation-related motor fuel taxes back to local airports, and establishing an ODOT division of Advanced Air Mobility to support electrified and emerging aircraft production and operations.
The bill also directs a study comparing asphalt and concrete for major road projects, and it reauthorizes Ohio’s participation in the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact to participate in regional passenger rail planning. Representative Willis told colleagues the measure contains member-driven fixes and investments to support aircraft, rail corridor studies and workforce mobility. “We are continuing the Ohio Workforce Mobility Partnership Program to make sure that residents who want to work can get to work even if it's a neighboring county,” Stewart said.
Several lawmakers, including Representatives Sweeney, Grimm and Stevens, praised the bipartisan process; Representative Sweeney noted the bill was voted out of the Finance Committee unanimously. Representative Grimm highlighted funding for public transit and regional planning agencies, while Representative Stevens emphasized the measure’s mix of maintaining current infrastructure, continuing projects and planning for future needs.
The House approved the bill by voice roll call with 97 affirmative votes and 0 negative votes, and the chamber agreed to amend the bill title on the floor. The bill will move to the next stage of the legislative process for further consideration.
