Ohio Turnpike study increases to $3.4M

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — The cost of studying the Ohio Turnpike’s future has increased to $3.4 million after the state approved payments for two law firms consulting on the issue.

The state Controlling Board initially approved a $2.85 million study to help determine how the 241-mile toll road can be used to best benefit Ohio financially, but it has since approved $550,000 more for the two law firms, The Plain Dealer in Cleveland reported Monday.

Turnpike Executive Director Richard Hodges defended the study’s cost, saying it is a bargain in comparison with toll revenue and the potential benefit for the state.

Tolls are expected to hit a record $249 million this year, and Gov. John Kasich would like to use them to generate hundreds of millions of dollars for transportation projects, mostly in northern Ohio. Some of those projects face long delays because of a lack of funding.

The study team led by Texas-based KPMG Corporate Finance LLC will advise the state by the end of the year on a variety of options. Some options under consideration would include leasing the turnpike to a private operator, maintaining public ownership and operation, or using a mix of public ownership and private operation.