In The News

Ohio Turnpike to close two plazas, reopen two sites in 2011

For truckers who travel the Ohio Turnpike, some major changes are in the works for four service plazas along the 241-mile toll road in 2011.

On Monday, Jan. 3, the Ohio Turnpike Commission announced that two service plazas in Mahoning County will be closed for refurbishing on Jan. 31.

Lauren Hakos, spokesperson for the turnpike commission, told Land Line on Tuesday, Jan. 4, that the Mahoning Valley (westbound) service plaza, which has 69 truck spaces, and the Glacier Hills (eastbound) service plaza, which has 60 truck spaces, will be closed for approximately 15 to 16 months. Both plazas are located at mile marker 237.2.

Hakos said work should begin in late February once the contract has been awarded, but the plan is to have the two plazas up and running again by July 4, 2012.

According to the turnpike commission’s website, “travelers should be advised that there will be approximately 120 miles between the service plazas in Ohio and Pennsylvania.”

Hakos said the plan is to reopen two that have been under reconstruction in Williams County. The sites are scheduled to reopen by the end of June.

She said the Indian Meadow (westbound) site will have 129 truck parking spaces, including 22 that provide truck stop electrification services, and the Tiffin River (eastbound) plaza will have 107 spots for trucks to park. Those plazas are located at the 20.8 mile marker.

The Ohio Turnpike Commission raised its toll prices in 2009, which has provided additional revenue for the improvement projects. The final revenue numbers for 2010 will be announced on Jan. 11, according to Martin S. Seekely, chief financial officer/comptroller for the turnpike commission.

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