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James W. Schocknessy Ohio Turnpike
Route information
Maintained by OTC
Length241.26 mi (388.27 km)
ExistedOctober 1, 1955[1]–present
Major junctions
West end I-80 / I-90 / Indiana Toll Road at
Indiana state line
Major intersections I-75 near Toledo
I-90 near Lorain
I-480 near North Ridgeville
I-71 near Cleveland
I-77 near Akron
I-480 near Streetsboro
I-76 / I-80 near Youngstown
East end I-76 / Penna Turnpike at
Pennsylvania state line
Location
CountryUnited States
StateOhio
Highway system
  • Ohio State Highway System
This article is about the modern highway. For the 1800s Ohio Turnpike, see Ohio State Route 125.
The westbound Ohio Turnpike
J.B. Hunt truck on Ohio Turnpike in Hudson, Ohio.
Typical modernized service plaza
Standard Ohio Turnpike ticket, in this case for a Class 1 vehicle (two-axle car without trailer) entering at Exit 218
Turnpike Westbound at SR 61, Berlin Heights
The bridge over the Cuyahoga Valley
Last of the original Service Plazas
New Service Plaza

The Ohio Turnpike (officially the James W. Shocknessy Ohio Turnpike) is a 241.26 mi (388.27 km)-long, limited-access toll highway in the U.S. state of Ohio, serving as a primary corridor to Chicago and Pittsburgh. The road runs east-west in the northern section of the state, from the Indiana Toll Road (at the Indiana-Ohio border near Bryan) to the Pennsylvania Turnpike (at the Ohio-Pennsylvania border near Petersburg).

Built from 1949 to 1955, construction for the roadway was completed a year prior to the Interstate Highway System. The modern Ohio Turnpike is signed as three interstate numbers: I-76, I-80, and I-90.

The road is owned and maintained by the Ohio Turnpike Commission, headquartered in Berea.

History

The Ohio General Assembly authorized the formation of the Ohio Turnpike Commission in 1949. The turnpike is named after the first chairman of the commission, James W. Shocknessy. Construction for the road cost $326 million and was recorded the biggest project in state history, with 10,000 employers, more than 2,300 bulldozers, graders, loaders and other machines over a 38-month period.[1][2]

On December 1, 1954, the first 22-mile (35 km) stretch (the portion lying east of State Route 18) opened near the present-day exit 218 for I-76 and I-80. Several motorists attended a dedication ceremony, with over 1,000 people joining a caravan, following a snow plow and a patrol cruiser, to become the first to drive the turnpike. The remaining section from exit 218 west to Indiana opened October 1, 1955.[3]

Originally, the turnpike offered 17 access points. Additional access points have since been provided, bringing the total number to 31.[2]

In 1998, the Ohio Turnpike Commission began phasing in distance-based exit numbers. The sequential numbering system was retired in September 2002.

Service plazas

The Ohio Turnpike has had service plazas since its inception. Service plazas differ from typical freeway rest areas in that they offer amenities such as 24-hour food and fuel service, which means motorists do not have to pay the toll to exit, then re-enter when they have to re-fuel, use the restroom, or stop to eat.

In 1998, The Ohio Turnpike Commission began modernizing its service plazas, first demolishing the original plazas and then reconstructing them from the ground-up. In addition to modern restrooms, the new plazas offer several fast food choices, which vary between the plazas. They also include ATMs, gift shops, travel information counters, Wi-Fi internet access, and facilities for truck drivers, including shower facilities, lounge, and laundry areas. A fueling station provided by Valero is provided at each plaza. Facilities for overnight RV campers are provided at the service plazas located at mile markers 76, 139, and 197.[4]

Service plazas are located in pairs (one for each side of the turnpike) near mile markers 49, 76, 100, 139, 170, 197, and 237. Presently, the service plazas located at mile markers 49 and 237 have not been modernized, and utilize the original buildings that opened with the turnpike in the 1950s.

The service plazas located in Lucas County west of Toledo at mile marker 49 are the least utilized. The Ohio Turnpike Commission envisions the eventual demolition of these service plazas, and construction of new plazas between mile markers 20 and 49; the new facility will most likely be located in Fulton County.[5][6]

Due to the lack of a municipal water/sewer system, the service plazas located near mile marker 20 in Williams County were permanently demolished in 2006.[7][6]

Law enforcement

Since the turnpike opened, the Ohio Turnpike Commission has contracted with the Ohio State Highway Patrol (District 10) to provide law enforcement, as well as assistance to disabled or stranded motorists. The Patrol is the only law enforcement agency with jurisdiction on the turnpike. It monitors Citizen's Band channel 9 for distress calls.

Truck speed limit

In September 2004, the speed limit for heavy trucks was raised to 65 mph (105 km/h), creating a uniform speed limit for all traffic. For years, trucks had avoided the turnpike due to large toll increases in the 1990s, and because they could travel for free at the same speed on parallel highways such as State Route 2 and US 20. Truck traffic clogged the downtown shopping areas of US 20 towns such as Bellevue and Clyde, essentially driving away customers who didn't want to deal with the truck traffic; shopkeepers begged the state for relief for years.

Eventually, after prodding by Governor Bob Taft, the Ohio Turnpike Commission lowered truck tolls and implemented the uniform 65 mph (105 km/h) speed limit on September 8, 2004.[8] Truck traffic levels on the turnpike are estimated to be 20% higher since the change was made. The turnpike's 65 mph (105 km/h) truck speed limit was unique in Ohio, as a 55 mph (89 km/h) statutory speed limit applied to trucks on every other highway in the state until the passage of House Bill Number 2 in 2009.[9]

Proposed leasing

Ken Blackwell, the defeated candidate in the 2006 Ohio governor's race, had announced a plan for privatizing the turnpike, similar to plans enacted in Illinois and Indiana.[10][11]

Toll structure

Tolls are based upon the distance traveled, as well as the type and weight of vehicle driven. As of January 2007, the toll for a typical non-commercial passenger vehicle to travel the entire turnpike is $10.25.[12]

The Ohio Turnpike Commission had been hesitant to deploy an electronic tolling system, citing an apparent lack of commuter travel as well as significant implementation expenses. In December 2006, the commission indicated their intention to move forward with the implementation of an E-ZPass-compatible system as a "customer convenience".[13] The system is expected to be fully functional by September 2009.[14][15][16]

In 2009, the turnpike became the first publicly-owned toll facility in the U.S. – and the second overall – to allow users to pay tolls with a debit or credit card.[17]

Toll funds diversion

In April 2008, governor Ted Strickland and legislative leaders announced a planned stimulus package that would redistribute Turnpike tolls to road projects throughout the state.[18][16][19] On May 23, the Ohio Senate Finance Committee voted to pass a new version of the package which would not involve tolls collected.[20]

Exit list

County Location[21][22] Mile # Destinations[23][24][25] Notes[26]
I-80 and I-90 continue into Indiana as the Indiana Toll Road
Williams Northwest Twp. 2.0 SR 49 Diamond interchange with no ramp tolls. Motorists entering the Turnpike eastbound will immediately stop at the Westgate barrier. Those entering westbound will travel toll-free to the Indiana state line, then obtain a toll ticket at the Indiana Toll Road Eastpoint barrier.
Northwest Twp. 2.7 2 Westgate Toll Barrier Prior to completion of the Indiana Toll Road, turnpike traffic emptied onto US 20 via a short access road just west of the original toll barrier site near the state line. This access road is still visible.
Jefferson Twp. 13.5 13 SR 15 - Bryan, Montpelier Formerly Exit 2
Fulton Franklin Twp. 25.6 25 SR 66 - Archbold, Fayette Opened November 13, 1998[27]
Dover Twp. 34.9 34 SR 108 - Wauseon Formerly Exit 3
Pike Twp. 39.8 39 SR 109 - Delta, Lyons Planned as Exit 3B; opened December 20, 1996[28]
Lucas Monclova Twp. 52.6 52 SR 2 - Toledo Airport, Swanton
Maumee 59.5 59 US 20 - Maumee, Toledo Formerly Exit 4; to I-475 and US 23.
Wood Perrysburg 64.9 64 I-75 - Perrysburg, Toledo
Lake Twp. 71.7 71 I-280/SR 420 - Stony Ridge, Toledo Formerly Exit 5
Ottawa Harris Twp. 81.8 81 SR 51 - Elmore, Woodville, Gibsonburg Opened February 6, 1997[29]
Sandusky Sandusky Twp. 91.6 91 SR 53 - Fremont, Port Clinton Formerly Exit 6
Erie Groton Twp. 110.2 110 SR 4 - Sandusky, Bellevue Opened December 15, 1994[30]
Milan Twp. 118.5 118 US 250 - Sandusky, Norwalk Formerly Exit 7
Lorain Brownhelm Twp. 135.9 135 Baumhart Road - Vermilion Opened December 13, 1995[31]
Amherst Twp. 140.6 140 SR 58 - Amherst, Oberlin Opened November 30, 2004[32]
Eastern terminus of I-80/ I-90 concurrency
Elyria Twp. 142.8 142 I-90/SR 2 - Lorain County West Formerly Exit 8A; eastbound exit, westbound entrance.
Elyria 145.8 145 SR 57 - Lorain, Elyria Formerly Exit 8
North Ridgeville 151.8 151 I-480 - North Ridgeville, Cleveland Formerly Exit 9A;Eastbound exit, westbound entrance.
152.2 152 SR 10 - North Olmsted, Cleveland Formerly Exit 9
Cuyahoga Strongsville 161.8 161 I-71/US 42 - Strongsville, Cleveland Formerly Exit 10
Summit Richfield 173.2 173 I-77/SR 21 - Cleveland Formerly Exit 11; direct access to I-77 opened December 3, 2001[33][34]
Boston Heights 180.3 180 SR 8 - Akron Formerly Exit 12
Portage Streetsboro 187.2 187 - I-480/SR 14 - Streetsboro Formerly Exit 13
Shalersville Twp. 193.9 193 SR 44 - Ravenna Opened December 1, 1994[30]
Trumbull Braceville Twp. 209.2 209 SR 5 - Warren Formerly Exit 14
Lordstown 215.0 215 Ellsworth-Bailey Road - Lordstown West Eastbound exit, westbound entrance; opened June 1993[35]
216.4 216 Hallock-Young Road - Lordstown East Westbound exit, eastbound entrance.
Mahoning North Jackson 218.7 218 I-76, I-80, County Route 18 - Niles, Youngstown Formerly Exit 15; I-76 exits westbound and enters eastbound. I-80 exits eastbound and enters westbound. Toll road transfers from I-80 to I-76.
Beaver Twp. 232.9 232 SR 7 - Youngstown Formerly Exit 16
234.1 234 I-680 - Youngstown, Poland Formerly Exit 16A; westbound exit, eastbound entrance.
Springfield Twp. 239.0 239 Eastgate Toll Barrier
I-76 continues east into Pennsylvania as the Pennsylvania Turnpike

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Brunsman, Barrett J. (2005). This Day in Ohio History. Emmis Books. ISBN 1578601916. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b "Ohio Turnpike history". Ohio Turnpike Commission. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  3. ^ "Ohio State Highway Patrol - History". Ohio State Highway Patrol. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  4. ^ http://www.ohioturnpike.org/services.html
  5. ^ http://www.ohioturnpike.org/res20050516_4.html
  6. ^ a b toledoblade.com - Williams County turnpike plazas will be closed
  7. ^ http://www.ohioturnpike.org/res20050815_1.html
  8. ^ http://www.ohioturnpike.org/uniform_speed_limit.html
  9. ^ Provance, Jim (2009-04-01). "Speed limit to be raised for truckers on interstate roads". The Blade. Retrieved 2009-05-18. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  10. ^ Theis, Sandy (2006-06-04). "Leasing turnpike: A road to riches? Blackwell says his plan could net millions for cities, but others urge caution". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2008-06-18. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  11. ^ "Lease Turnpike to Create $4-6 Billion Job Development Fund". KenBlackwell.com. 2006-01-24. Archived from the original on 2006-11-01. Retrieved 2008-06-18. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  12. ^ http://www.ohioturnpike.org/class1_2007.html
  13. ^ Ohio turnpike – EZ-Pass FAQ
  14. ^ "EZ Pass coming to Ohio turnpike". WTAM-AM. 2008-03-18. Retrieved 2008-03-18. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  15. ^ "Closer to the fast lane". The Blade. 2008-03-21. Retrieved 2008-04-08. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  16. ^ a b Hollander, Sarah (2008-04-05). "Turnpike officials unsure what revenue loss will mean". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2008-04-08. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ Farkas, Karen (2009-06-08). "Ohio Turnpike to let drivers pay tolls with credit, debit cards". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2009-06-08. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  18. ^ Marshall, Aaron (2008-04-03). "Ohio tries to retain top talent in college; Internship plan raids tobacco, turnpike funds". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2008-04-08. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  19. ^ "Governor, Legislative Leaders Announce Bipartisan Economic Stimulus Package (press release)". State of Ohio, Office of the Governor. 2008-04-02. Retrieved 2008-04-08.
  20. ^ Marshall, Aaron (2008-05-23). "State stimulus package won't include Turnpike funds". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2008-05-28. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  21. ^ Ohio Official Transportation Map, front side (Map). Ohio Department of Transportation. 2007. {{cite map}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  22. ^ DeLorme Street Atlas USA 2007. Digital map of Ohio showing the townships. Accessed on July 10 2007.
  23. ^ "Interchanges - table 1". Ohio Turnpike Commission. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  24. ^ "Interchanges - table 2". Ohio Turnpike Commission. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  25. ^ "Interchanges - table 3". Ohio Turnpike Commission. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  26. ^ "Interchange Number Conversion". Ohio Turnpike Commission. 1998. Archived from the original on 1998-06-15. Retrieved 2009-05-18. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  27. ^ Patch, David (1998-11-10). "Archbold Turnpike Exit to Open". The Blade. Retrieved 2008-06-16. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  28. ^ "Fulton County Turnpike Gate to Open Friday". The Blade. 1996-12-17. Retrieved 2008-06-16. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  29. ^ Patch, David (1997-02-07). "Turnpike's Gate 5A Opens, Widens Elmore Area Access". The Blade. Retrieved 2008-06-16. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  30. ^ a b McEaneney, Dennis (1994-12-02). "Gate 13 A Joins Pike". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved 2008-06-16. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  31. ^ Kavanaugh, Molly (1995-12-14). "New Turnpike Interchange Opens at Baumhart Road". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2008-06-16. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  32. ^ "Turnpike ramp at SR 58 to open today after 11 years". The Morning Journal. 2004-11-30. Retrieved 2008-06-16. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  33. ^ Exner, Rich (2001-12-02). "Turnpike ramps to I-77 open tomorrow". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2008-06-16. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  34. ^ "Ohio Turnpike, I-77 Interchange Opens To Traffic". WEWS-TV. 2001-12-03. Retrieved 2008-06-16. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  35. ^ Farkas, Karen (2009-06-21). "Bari Lambert's job as a toll collector on the Ohio Turnpike's Lordstown plant exit has turned very quiet". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2009-06-22. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
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