Boccieri on turnpike committee

COLUMBUS — State Sen. John Boccieri of New Middletown, D-33rd, has been appointed to the Ohio Turnpike Oversight Committee.

The special committee meets quarterly to hear Ohio Turnpike Commission reports on finances, construction, maintenance, repairs and projects.

The commission in January raised rates 15 percent for passenger cars and 8 percent for trucks. The increases were justified on the grounds they would help complete the three-lane turnpike widening project and help replace the original 1955 plazas at the state lines.

Boccieri said he was disappointed by the increase because it resulted in trucks going on non toll roads, which creates congestion and the need for more repairs on them.