Mansfield Times

State Representative Melanie Miller of Ashland has expressed her support for House Bill 54, the State Transportation Budget, which passed in the House with a unanimous bipartisan vote of 97-0.

“This is a historic investment that prioritizes preserving Ohio’s infrastructure, promoting economic development and innovation, and boosting public safety to keep Ohio moving forward,” said Miller.

The bill is designed to fund transportation infrastructure development and maintenance for fiscal years 2026-2027. It allocates over $393 million for new highway infrastructure, $382 million for targeted safety upgrades on roadways, and more than $4.1 billion for highway maintenance operations. Additionally, it includes an annual allocation of $15 million to continue the Ohio Workforce Mobility Partnership Program supporting workforce transportation in both rural and urban areas.

A notable provision in House Bill 54 is the repeal of the requirement to construct an interstate interchange on Boston Road. “I am proud to announce the passage of such a robust budget, specifically when it comes to the I-71 interchange project on Boston Road,” stated Miller. “I have been a strong advocate for replacing the project with a traffic study to eliminate the hardship it would have on local residents. I’m thrilled this provision has been included in the Bill.”

The bill also calls for a traffic congestion management plan through collaboration between the Director of Transportation and the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency.

Ohio's infrastructure includes one of the largest interstate systems in America, spanning more than 8,000 lane miles and home to 26,729 bridges—the third-largest total number in the nation. The state also ranks fourth in total active rail miles with 5,081 miles.

Other elements within House Bill 54 include:

- Establishing an Ohio Airport Improvement Program Fund aimed at improving airports not receiving federal grants.

- Increasing truck parking spaces to aid economic growth through better goods transportation.

- Raising funding for Transportation Improvement Districts (TIDs) to promote job creation.

- Creating a Division of Advanced Air Mobility within ODOT to enhance cargo transport efficiency.

- Introducing an alternative emissions certification system under E-Check Ease Act.

- Joining Ohio into Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact encouraging regional rail service improvements.

- Prohibiting voter registration offerings by BMV where records show ineligibility.

House Bill 54 now moves forward for consideration by the Ohio Senate.