First Posted: 3/16/2015
COLUMBUS (AP) — Speed limits on the Ohio Turnpike and rural roads would increase to 75 mph under one of many changes inserted into a transportation budget bill Monday.
Senate Transportation Chairwoman Gayle Manning said an earlier decision to raise Ohio’s statewide limit to 70 mph has resulted in virtually no negative impacts. She said accident rates on rural roads have fallen and traffic is flowing more smoothly.
The amendment was among dozens folded into a $7 billion, two-year transportation budget headed for a committee vote and final Senate approval Wednesday. The bill will go next to a conference committee to iron out differences in the House and Senate versions.
Manning’s panel also proposes joining 20 states in reserving left lanes of 3-lane highways for passing, a provision supported by both Republicans and Democrats on the panel. Under the plan, signs would go up around the state reading, “Keep Right Except to Pass.”
The Republican-controlled committee also restored a proposal to the budget bill to block local hiring quotas on public construction projects, in a move opposed by Democrats.
Specifically, it prohibits any state dollars or federal dollars that flow through the state from being used on projects where a contractor is required to employ a certain number or percentage of laborers from within a set boundary.
Other changes adopted Monday:
•Remove a proposal to allow boaters to use a rearview mirror to monitor water skiers and others they tow;
•Lift a ban on state employees working as licensed casino gaming employees on those with no regulatory authority and no conflict of interest;
•Remove convictions for violations of the commercial driver’s license law from the list of offenses that can be sealed;
•Increase the time a temporary license placard or windshield sticker can be displayed on a vehicle from 30 to 45 days;
•Increase bridge partnership funding by $10 million, and require the Ohio Department of Transportation to test new bridge designs with a 100-year service life;
•Require a first-time driver’s license applicant over 18 who fails any portion of the driving test to complete an advanced driver training course;
•Allow an applicant to request their new or renewed driver’s license to verify U.S. citizenship.
Manning said the Senate doesn’t expect to restore distracted-driving penalties and associated driver training requirements proposed by Gov. John Kasich’s administration to the bill, but anticipates debating those proposals as part of a separate bill.
Public Safety Director John Born says the administration’s Drive Toward a Safer Ohio initiative’s driver training, driver testing and driver safety elements work best in combination, but he is pleased the proposals continue to be considered.
