Ohio Turnpike tolls on the rise

OXFORD TWP. — Effective Jan. 1, the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission will increase toll rates along the highway. Commission members, in an announcement made on Wednesday, noted the hike occurred to cover operating expenses, debt service and capital improvements. "The commission relies primarily on toll revenue to maintain and operate the 241-mile Ohio Turnpike, which is one of the safest and most reliable toll roads in the country," according to a commission statement. "Specifically, the toll rate increases will help properly maintain the Ohio Turnpike's infrastructure, including bridge, roadway and other projects." A release noted how "The cost of highway design, construction and maintenance is at an all-time high." According to the Federal Highway Administration, "Inflation in the roadway construction sector is more extreme compared to the general economy." Roadway construction costs, which include the price of materials, crude oil/fuel, labor and more, have increased significantly since December 2020, the commission noted. Here are what the rates will rise to when traveling along the entire toll road: • Traveling eastbound with E-ZPass — $14.25 • Traveling eastbound without E-ZPass — $21.25 • Traveling westbound with E-Z Pass— $17 • Traveling westbound without E-ZPass —$25.25 People can view a full table of the price changes by visiting ohioturnpike.org. "Despite these cost increases, the Ohio Turnpike still has some of the lowest toll rates in the country," the commission noted. Commission members stress how people should get an E-Z pass. "The Ohio Turnpike's E-ZPass customers, Class 1, will continue to save an average of 33% on toll rates compared to cash/credit card paying customers," according to the commission.