Ohio Turnpike toll rates rising

GROTON TWP. — Effective Jan. 1, the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission will increase toll rates along the highway, continuing a year-over-year trend of rate bumps. Commission members, in a recent announcement, 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, noting it doesn't receive taxes. "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." Come next month, here's a look at the new rate structure when a vehicle — specifically motorcycles, cars, pickup trucks and others designated in Class 1 — traveling along the entire toll road: • Traveling eastbound with E-ZPass — $15.50, a $1.25 increase from 2024 • Traveling eastbound without E-ZPass — $22.75, up $1.50 from 2024 • Traveling westbound with E-Z Pass— $18.50, a $1.50 increase from 2024 • Traveling westbound without E-ZPass —$27, a $1.75 increase from 2024 The increase breaks down to an increase between 7 cents and 10 cents per mile. That's up from the most recent year-over-year increases, going into 2024 from 2023, between 6 cents and 9 cents. The cost for commercial vehicles, in some cases, nearly triples or quadruples these prices. "Despite the rising costs of highway construction and bridge projects, the Ohio Turnpike's toll rates still rank among the lowest in the country," according to a turnpike statement. "E-ZPass customers will continue to save an average of 33% on Ohio Turnpike tolls compared to customers who pay by cash or credit card."