Road improvement bill passes House with bipartisan support

State Reps. Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) and Tavia Galonski (D-Akron) today applauded the passage of House Bill (HB) 415, which would create a new state fund to provide funding to local governments for road improvement projects. Sykes and Galonski both cosponsored the legislation.

“Along with the rest of Ohio, Akron’s streets are riddled with pot holes and roads in need of repair, which creates a liability for our local government and a hazard for drivers,” said Rep. Sykes. “HB 415 will reduce the expensive short term fixes we are currently doing to keep up our roads after winter and pave the way for better, safer roads.”

HB 415 would allow 50 percent of any state surplus revenue to go to a Local Government Road Improvement Fund, which would invest in local road projects.

“HB 415 is a simple but necessary safety measure for Ohioans on the go,” said Rep. Galonski. “Improving roads, especially after winter months, is imperative for motorist safety. The current way of doing business is a burden on local governments, and this bill will help alleviate some of that burden for communities across Ohio.”

The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.