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Transportation official defends possible Ohio Turnpike lease deal

CLEVELAND  — Ohio might get several billion dollars if it leases the Ohio Turnpike, and the director of the state Department of Transportation says most of the money would go toward projects in the northern part of the state, where the 241-mile toll road is located.

Department of Transportation Director Jerry Wray is defending the idea of leasing the turnpike amid growing opposition from leaders in the region who worry that having a private operator for the roadway could create other problems, The Plain Dealer in Cleveland reported.

"I'm not here to pick on the turnpike," Wray said. "We are looking at what do we need to do to benefit the state, and this is an asset that has value to us that's not being leveraged."

Ohio lawmakers are working on the two-year state budget, and the Senate version would provide for the Legislature to guide the bidding process if the turnpike were sold or leased.

Republican Gov. John Kasich wants to lease the roadway but ensure the deal benefits Ohio, Wray said. He said Kasich would prefer a 30-year lease that includes a payment up front and a share of toll revenue each year, and the governor is hoping to get at least $2.4 billion from any lease deal.

Such a deal could limit toll increases, provide for maintenance, pay for projects that otherwise wouldn't be finished and help fill a gap in funding for the aging road system, Wray told the newspaper. ODOT officials have reported that revenue from fuel taxes has taken a hit as drivers cut back on miles or drive more fuel-efficient vehicles.

The turnpike operates separately from Wray's department, but he sits on the nine-member commission that governs it. The turnpike is funded through tolls, and its revenue is significantly more than its operating costs.

The turnpike expects to collect about $250 million this year but will spend about $120 million to operate, said Daniel Castrigano, its chief engineer and interim executive director.

Northern Ohio officials who are critical of leasing the roadway praise how it is run now and worry a lease would lead to higher tolls that divert traffic to alternative routes that might need more maintenance.

Wray said the governor would prefer the lease because of the initial cash, but ODOT is studying other options, such as incorporating the turnpike into the department.

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