The bill amends sections 5501.31, 5521.01, and 5521.011 of the Revised Code to clarify the responsibilities of the Director of Transportation regarding state highways within villages and cities. It introduces new provisions that grant the director the authority to maintain, repair, and improve state highways in municipal areas, contingent upon consultation and approval from local legislative authorities. The director is also empowered to establish connections between relocated roads and utilize various materials for highway maintenance. Importantly, the bill allows the director to act without municipal consent under specific conditions, such as when the highway was not within municipal limits at the time of proposed changes.

Furthermore, the bill outlines a structured process for obtaining local consent for highway establishment or improvements, requiring the director to submit a written request to local authorities, who must respond within sixty days. If consent is denied or not acted upon, the director can proceed with a resolution that may be appealed in court. The amendments also expand the criteria for determining new highway locations to include factors like national defense and economic activity, while emphasizing the collaborative role of municipal corporations in funding and cooperating on highway projects. The bill repeals outdated sections of the Revised Code, ensuring that the responsibilities and processes are current and effective.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 5501.31, 5521.01, 5521.011, 5521.012