The state of Ohio is studying ways to squeeze money out of the turnpike for other transportation projects. The options include leasing the 241 mile highway to a private company for billions of dollars, turning it over to the Ohio Department of Transportation so tolls could be used for road projects, or, leaving it as it is because toll revenue is up. County Executive FitzGerald says his group initiated the public hearings because Governor John Kasich seemed determined to lease the turnpike without looking at other options. FitzGerald credits the northern Ohio group, formed early this year., with forcing the state to consider other possibilities.

“Now they’ve started saying maybe we’ll merge it with ODOT and bond out some of the proceeds. We’re glad we’ve had an effect of the discussion so far. They haven’t made their decision yet, and we’re not prejudging it, we just think it’s been an unbalanced discussion so far, and we think we can provide more balance to it.”

FitzGerald points out that some turnpike leases in other states have resulted in less upkeep. Ohio Turnpike officials say the 60 year old road needs several hundred million dollars in repairs and improvements.