The Ohio Senate has approved the 7 billion dollar, two year state transportation budget that includes a provision raising the speed limit to 75 mph on the Turnpike and rural interstates. Ohio raised the speed limit on some freeways to 70 mph in 2013. The Ohio House speaker has questioned whether it's too soon to raise the speed limit again. More from Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles.
Items in that budget are estimated to create 96,000 jobs during the next two years. The plan would also set aside 10 million dollars for bridges and would require the Ohio Department of Transportation to conduct a pilot project on bridge lifespan feasibility. The budget would create some new laws. For starters, it would raise the state’s top speed limit from 70 to 75 miles per hour. It would also require applicants for initial driver’s licenses to complete abbreviated drivers courses if they fail the preliminary exam. The budget, which received unanimous support in the Senate, now goes back to the Ohio House for its agreement on senate changes to the plan.
