Ohio Turnpike to undergo improvements, toll modernization

CLEVELAND — The Ohio Turnpike Commission announced Tuesday $223 million in upcoming projects, highlighted by a toll collection system modernization. 

What You Need To Know

• The Ohio Turnpike Commission announced $223 million in upcoming projects that will feature a toll collection modernization system
• By next year, drivers with an E-ZPass will be able to drive the entire length of the turnpike without stopping for tolls
• The Turnpike Commission said it will strive to maintain two lanes of traffic in sections with three lanes during peak travel times

The projects also include resurfacing, bridge and other general maintenance to the 241-mile tollway. With new road projects comes a reminder of work zone safety. 

“Raising awareness of work zone safety on behalf of our roadway crews, contractors and motorists during the construction season is a top priority,” said Ferzan Ahmed, executive director of the turnpike commission. “When driving through work zones, it’s important for motorists to establish a safe following distance, maintain the work zone speed limit, pay attention to the signs, avoid distractions, and be prepared to slow down or stop.”

The Ohio Turnpike said it is a year away from open road tolling, which will allow motorists with an E-ZPass to drive the entire length of the Turnpike without stopping. 

“Once complete, our E-ZPass customers will be able to travel the full length of the 241-mile Ohio Turnpike at highway speeds without stopping,” Ahmed said. “Customers, who save an average of 33% on tolls with E-ZPass, will continue to receive discounted toll rates when traveling through gateless E-ZPass entry and exit lanes. Motorists without E-ZPass will still have the option to exit the turnpike and pay their tolls with cash or credit card at gated toll lanes.”

Over $76 million is being spent this year on toll collection modernization. The Turnpike Commission said projects this year include: 

• Construction of the new mainline Westgate Toll Plaza 4 in Edon, Ohio (Williams County)
• Construction of the new mainline Toll Plaza 211 in Newton Falls, Ohio (Trumbull County)
• Renovation of the mainline Eastgate Toll Plaza 239 in New Springfield, Ohio (Mahoning County)
• Expansion of Toll Plaza 64 (Wood County) and Toll Plaza 152 (Lorain County)
• Infrastructure upgrades to install new tolling equipment at 20 interchanges from Toll Plaza 52 to Toll Plaza 209 (Lucas, Wood, Sandusky, Erie, Lorain, Cuyahoga, Summit, Portage and Trumbull counties)
• Automatic traffic recorders at nine toll plazas (Williams, Fulton, Trumbull and Mahoning counties)
• Weigh-in motion systems at three milepost locations (Ottawa, Lorain and Portage counties)
• New toll collection hardware/equipment installation at 21 existing toll plazas and three new toll plazas

The Turnpike Commission announced Tuesday three mainline pavement replacements:

• Pavement replacement, new ramps, and construction of the new Westgate Toll Plaza 4 site (Williams County)
• Pavement replacement, new ramps, and construction of the new Toll Plaza 211 site (Trumbull County)
• Pavement replacement, new ramps, and renovation of the current Toll Plaza 239 site (Mahoning County)

There will also be five bridge and four resurfacing projects through the end of the year. 

The Ohio Turnpike Commission said it will strive to maintain two lanes of traffic in all three-lane sections of the road during peak travel times. The Turnpike Commission added some single lane zones will be necessary but will occur mostly during off-peak travel times or at night.