A recently finished toll collection system, incorporating lanes where tolls are paid without stopping, has been fully implemented across the entire 241-mile length of the Ohio Turnpike. This marks the conclusion of the largest construction endeavor in the Turnpike’s 69-year existence.

“The modernization of the toll collection system has been a long, challenging and complex project. But the moment we have anticipated — following meticulous testing of the electronic tolling system over the past several months — has arrived,” Ferzan Ahmed, executive director of the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, noted on the April 10 completion date.

Reflecting on the timeline, Ahmed noted that it took five years to finalize the toll collection project, starting from the commission’s approval of the initial contract. He mentioned that the total cost came close to $250 million, which was entirely covered by toll revenue, and the project was completed within the allocated budget.

“I would also like to commend everyone who has been involved in the more than 20 projects to modernize the toll collection system since the beginning. The work performed by our staff, designers, consultants and contractors will leave a lasting legacy,” he said. “I would like to acknowledge our commission members for their guidance, leadership, patience and support every step of the way. Thank you for your oversight and for ensuring that the approved funds to build the new system were spent responsibly.”

The updated toll collection system now offers open-road tolling lanes for E-ZPass users alongside gated exits for customers paying with cash or credit cards. E-ZPass lanes no longer feature gates, streamlining the process for users. Additionally, improvements were made to customer service centers as part of the project.

With the introduction of the new toll collection system on the Ohio Turnpike, Class 8 commercial trucks are no longer subject to a $12-per-trip fee. Instead, they will pay the revised toll for Class 8 trucks, encompassing various configurations such as those with double or triple trailers.

In the past year, the combined usage of E-ZPass by commercial trucks and passenger vehicles increased by nearly 1%, reaching 74.1% compared to 2022.

Ahmed foresees that the implementation of the new tolling system will continue to foster economic development along the Ohio Turnpike, which spans interstates 80, 90, and 76.

“The local, regional and national economic benefits of our top-performing facility will be immense for our commuters, travelers as well as the commercial freight industry,” he added.

The new tolling system on the Ohio Turnpike combines a flat-rate barrier with a distance-based ticketed system, making it a hybrid model. With open-road tolling, drivers using E-ZPass can maintain highway speeds without stopping, utilizing dedicated E-ZPass lanes throughout the entire 241-mile stretch. For those without E-ZPass, they still have the option to stop for a ticket and settle the toll upon exiting.

The objective of this modernization initiative was to enhance the overall driving and tolling experience for both commercial truck drivers and regular commuters.

This modernization effort stands as the largest construction project undertaken by the turnpike since its completion in October 1955. The Ohio Turnpike’s initial segment, spanning 22 miles from the Pennsylvania Turnpike at the Ohio-Pennsylvania border to an interchange 9 miles west of Youngstown, opened for traffic on December 1, 1954.

“In the coming weeks and months, we will continue to monitor the performance of the new system and close out various projects as they are completed,” Ahmed said.

As an element of the updated toll collection system, nine previous toll plazas have transitioned into non-tolled areas. While these interchanges are still accessible, there are no longer toll collection personnel stationed on-site. Instead, overhead signs on the gantries now indicate “No Toll, Keep Moving” at these specific locations:

  • Toll Plaza 13 (Bryan-Montpelier) in Williams County
  • Toll Plaza 25 (Archbold-Fayette) in Fulton County
  • Toll Plaza 34 (Wauseon) in Fulton County
  • Toll Plaza 39 (Delta-Lyons) in Fulton County
  • Toll Plaza 215 (Lordstown-West) Trumbull County
  • Toll Plaza 216 (Lordstown-East) in Trumbull County
  • Toll Plaza 218 (Niles-Youngstown) in Mahoning County
  • Toll Plaza 232 (Youngstown) in Mahoning County
  • Toll Plaza 234 (Youngstown-Poland) in Mahoning County