Transportation advocacy groups across the country, such as the Rail Passengers Association applauded the passage of the bipartisan Investment in Infrastructure and Jobs Act (IIJA) as a path forward for major infrastructure funding that the entire country, and Ohio, sorely needed. In particular, funding for public transportation, such as rail and buses, would be increased and drive positive impact on emissions and climate.

All in all, this seems like a major win, and in many ways it has been. Funding from the IIJA has gone on to be used across the country in federal grants to support public transit, namely administered through the Federal Transit Administration and Federal Railroad Administration. 

However, a lot of this funding did not directly go into public transit projects that reduced emissions. 

According to a new report by Transportation for America (T4America), an advocacy organization made up of local, regional and state leaders that work towards an equitable transportation system, much of the funding available was used by state department of transportation agencies at their own discretion – which did not positively impact carbon emissions. 

The Report

The new report, titled “Fueling the Crisis,” is a review of how states have spent funding from the IIJA and the ways it has decreased or increased carbon emissions. 

Ohio’s spending of IIJA funds show that they led to an increase in the state’s carbon emissions, which can increase our state’s temperatures and increase the effects of climate change on Ohio, including severe weather events, droughts, and warmer temperatures according to the United Nations.

So, how did Ohio spend IIJA funding, and what happened to our emissions? 

• Total Analyzed Spending: $5,071,821,338

• Highway Expansion: $1,802,323,355

• Highway Resurfacing: $1,653,939,084

• EV Infrastructure/Vehicles: $1,368,000

• Buses and Heavy Duty EVs: $0

• Freight and Operations: $43,395,891

• Land Use & Active Modes: $165,842,142

• Public Transit and Rail: $472,832,049

• Other Non-GHG Reducing Infrastructure: $815,432,264

T4America estimates that Ohio’s emissions increased by 2,700,000 tonnes relative to the baseline. 

In total, Ohio spent over a billion dollars on highway expansion and only 472 million on public transit. This pattern of spending is going to only contribute to increased car use throughout our state – and will lead to more car accidents, greenhouse gas emissions, and warmer temperatures. 

This is Why Local Matters

There’s no doubt that the federal level matters for transit and rail – the big dollars are there. But without local pressure, advocacy, and education, it can fall flat. As we’re seeing here in Ohio, the state has chosen to fund projects that are not advancing mobility for everyone, and instead continuing to increase car dependency. 

As we move into 2025, we are going to continue working on local wins for transit. Whether it’s been encouraging turnout for the Ohio Department of Transportation’s 2024 Transportation Preference Survey, or talking about the benefits of LinkUS, we know we can make change needed locally. 

If you want to join us in making sure local wins for public transportation, please support our work by donating here.