Ohio House Bill No. 9
Subject: Analysis of Ohio House Bill No. 9 – Traffic Congestion Study for I-71 Corridor
Source: As Introduced Version of House Bill No. 9, 136th General Assembly of Ohio
Sponsor(s): Representatives Miller, M., Ray
Summary:
Ohio House Bill No. 9 proposes two primary actions: repealing an existing requirement for the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to construct certain interstate interchanges and, more significantly, mandating a traffic congestion study for the Interstate Route 71 corridor between U.S. Route 42 (north and west) and State Route 303 (south), extending east to West 130th Street. The study aims to develop a traffic congestion management strategic plan for the defined area. The bill allows for the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) to lead the study at the discretion of the Director of Transportation. A report of the study’s findings is due by December 31, 2026, and must be submitted to key stakeholders, including the Governor, legislative leadership, relevant committee chairpersons, and the leadership of Strongsville, North Royalton, and Brunswick. The report may also include proposed solutions to address identified traffic congestion issues.
Key Themes and Important Ideas:
- Shift from Infrastructure Development to Traffic Management: The bill repeals a prior requirement for ODOT to construct interchanges, signaling a potential shift in focus from solely building new infrastructure to a more comprehensive approach that includes traffic management strategies.
- Targeted Congestion Study: The bill specifically targets a defined area along I-71, acknowledging existing or anticipated traffic congestion issues in this corridor. The specified boundaries of the study area (U.S. Route 42, State Route 303, West 130th Street) clearly define the scope of the investigation.
- Collaboration and Expertise: The bill mandates consultation with, and potential leadership by, the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA). This recognizes NOACA’s regional planning expertise and aims to leverage their capabilities in the study process. As the bill states, “the Director of Transportation, in consultation with the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, shall conduct a study…However, at the Director’s discretion, the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency may lead the study.”
- Strategic Planning Focus: The outcome of the study is intended to be a “traffic congestion management strategic plan,” suggesting a proactive and long-term approach to addressing congestion challenges.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Transparency: The bill mandates the dissemination of the study’s findings to a broad range of stakeholders, including state government leaders, relevant legislative committees, and local municipal authorities. This emphasizes the importance of transparency and coordinated decision-making. The bill requires that findings be reported to “(a) The Governor; (b) The Speaker of the House of Representatives; (c) The President of the Senate; (d) The chairpersons of the committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate pertaining to transportation; (e) The chief executive officer and the legislative authority of the municipal corporations of Strongsville, North Royalton, and Brunswick.”
- Potential Solutions: The bill explicitly allows for the inclusion of “solutions to mitigate and strategically manage any traffic congestion concerns found during the study,” suggesting that the study is intended to be action-oriented and lead to concrete recommendations.
Key Facts:
- Bill Number: H.B. No. 9
- General Assembly: 136th General Assembly of Ohio (2025-2026 session)
- Study Area: Interstate Route 71 corridor between U.S. Route 42 (north and west) and State Route 303 (south), extending east to West 130th Street.
- Report Deadline: December 31, 2026
- Primary Actors: Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA)
- Repealed Section: Section 5501.60 of the Revised Code
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