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Ohio lawmaker: Turnpike should pick up tab on highway repairs

If an Ohio state lawmaker gets his way, the Ohio Turnpike Commission will be passing out money to help foot the bill for maintenance and repairs of roads along the toll road.

Rep. Jeff Wagner, R-Sycamore, is pursuing legislation that would make the commission responsible for major maintenance and repair and replacement of grade separations at intersections of any turnpike project with county and township roads. Routine maintenance would continue to be the responsibility of the county or township.

In recent weeks, two roads have been closed for failing embankments. Township Road 202 in Riley Township is the latest road to close in Sandusky County for slope failure. County Road 260 has also been shut down. Also, Township Road 226 has been closed for three years.

“The Ohio Turnpike Commission should be responsible for repair of these roads that are now closed and in deplorable condition,” Wagner said in a statement. “Due to their refusal to step up to the plate, the citizens of Sandusky County continue to suffer.”

Officials in Sandusky County have been going back and forth with the Turnpike Commission for years over responsibility of repairs to embankments along the toll road. Early this year, the commission agreed to fund repairs to an overpass in Riley Township that was closed in 2007. However, turnpike officials wrote in a letter that the agreement does not set a precedent for accepting responsibility for 10 similarly deteriorating roads nearby.

“I am pleased that the Turnpike Commission has at least agreed to fix one road. However, House Bill 131 would finally put the responsibility where it belongs with the Turnpike Commission and, most importantly, it would enable the reopening of these roads,” Wagner said.

HB131 is in need of a shot in the arm. The bill has been in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee since April 2009.

To view other legislative activities of interest for Ohio, click here .

Editor’s Note: Please share your thoughts with us about the legislation included in this story. Comments may be sent to [email protected] .

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