Turnpike reveals projects in 2026

GROTON TWP. — In 2026, the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission approved a budget of nearly $247 million for capital improvement projects along the 241-mile toll road. About $170 million is earmarked for road and bridge projects, which include 114 lane miles of pavement improvements and an extensive amount of work on numerous bridges. "To limit delays for travelers on the Ohio Turnpike, we strive to maintain two lanes of traffic in all three lane sections of the turnpike during peak travel times," said Chris Matta, the commission's chief engineer and deputy executive director. "Some single lane work zones will be necessary but will occur mostly during off-peak travel times, mainly at night." Here's a look at the construction scheduled in counties, from west to east, crossing through the Register's immediate coverage area: Ottawa/Sandusky counties Bridge repainting projects spanning Ottawa and Sandusky counties include the overhead bridge at: • Ohio 51/milepost 80.9 • Dischinger Road/milepost 81.5 • Toll plaza 81/Elmore-Woodville-Gibsonburg ramp/milepost 81.9; Toll plaza 81 will have temporary exit and entrance ramp closures for about 30 days and will be detoured. • Waggoner Road/milepost 83.3; One lane of bidirectional traffic on Waggoner Road will be maintained with a temporary signal. The North Coast Inland Trail will be temporarily closed and detoured for about 45 days. The estimated start date is May 4 with an estimated completion date of Oct. 30. Two lanes of traffic in each direction will be maintained during daytime operations with traffic reduced to a single lane at night for the work. Sandusky County Bridge deck replacement projects and a truck parking expansion project in Sandusky County include the overhead bridge at: • Yorktown Road/milepost 100.2 • Vickery Road/milepost 101.3 The estimated start date is May 2 with an estimated completion date of Dec. 13. Two lanes of traffic in each direction will be maintained during the project. Local roads will be closed and detoured. The Erie Islands Service Plaza truck parking expansion/milepost 100 westbound is ongoing with an estimated completion set for July. There will be no impact on mainline traffic or service plaza access. Erie County A mainline bridge deck replacement project in Erie County spans above Portland Road/milepost 109.2. The project is underway with construction estimated to be completed by Nov. 15. Two lanes of traffic in each direction will be maintained during the project with periodic single-lane closures during off-peak hours. The project will continue in 2027 to redeck the westbound bridge and in 2028 to repaint the bridges. Erie/Lorain counties A pavement replacement project stretching from Erie County to Lorain County/mileposts 127.9 to milepost 133.2 will be replaced. The project is ongoing with 2026 construction estimated to be completed by Nov. 15. Two lanes of traffic in each direction will be maintained during the project with periodic single-lane closures during off-peak hours. Three lanes of traffic will be restored after the 2026 construction season. The project will continue in 2027 to replace the westbound pavement. Safe travels The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission is reminding all motorists to be self-aware of unsafe driving behaviors, such as speeding and distracted driving, in work zones during this construction season. "Unsafe driving behaviors behind the wheel put motorists and highway workers at risk," said Chris Matta, the commission's chief engineer and deputy executive director. "We will have over 1,000 workers on the road during the construction season, and our goal is to get them home safely every day." Unsafe driving behaviors in work zones are preventable and easily identified, which include: • Speeding • Driving distracted, impaired, aggressive and drowsy • Following a vehicle too closely; • Not wearing a seat belt; and • Failing to obey traffic signs and signals. All motorists – no matter whether driving passenger vehicles or commercial trucks – can drive safely in work zones by • Establishing a safe following distance • Being prepared to slow down or stop • Maintaining the work zone speed limit; Lane widths are reduced, and the lanes have been shifted and are narrow with no shoulders • Avoiding distractions by putting your phone down • Paying attention to the signs