Ohio Turnpike debuts new system with gateless tolls for E-ZPass users
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The Swanton Toll Plaza at mile post 49. Photo: Courtesy of Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission
The Ohio Turnpike last week debuted its new toll collection system, a $250 million modernization project five years in the making, funded entirely by toll revenue.
Why it matters: For the first time in Ohio, E-ZPass users will be able to drive through the turnpike's toll plazas at highway speeds on open road tolling lanes with no gates.
- The gateless toll collection system will reduce travel time for the 74% of drivers who use E-ZPass along the 241-mile stretch of highway, which includes portions of Interstates 90, 80 and 76.
- E-ZPass is accepted in 17 states, including Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York.
Between the lines: The long-awaited revamp just missed waves of eclipse traffic. Visitors last week lamented long tollbooth lines on their way out of the state Monday and Tuesday.
State of play: Two new plazas at milepost 49, in Lucas County, and at milepost 211, in Trumbull County mark the ends of the new tolled system.
Zoom in: Nine plazas will no longer require tolls or have staff on site.
- Toll Plaza 13 (Bryan-Montpelier) in Williams County
- Toll Plaza 25 (Archbold-Fayette) in Fulton County
- Toll Plaza 34 (Wauseon) in Fulton County
- Toll Plaza 39 (Delta-Lyons) in Fulton County
- Toll Plaza 215 (Lordstown-West) Trumbull County
- Toll Plaza 216 (Lordstown-East) in Trumbull County
- Toll Plaza 218 (Niles-Youngstown) in Mahoning County
- Toll Plaza 232 (Youngstown) in Mahoning County
- Toll Plaza 234 (Youngstown-Poland) in Mahoning County
By the numbers: The overall number of toll plazas has been reduced from 31 to 24, and new flat rates are now in effect at the Westgate and Eastgate plazas.
- Toll rates per mile will not change on the new system.
The fine print: Non-E-ZPass owners should still use gated booths, where cash or credit cards are accepted. If they don't, they'll be billed at a higher rate and will receive a mailed invoice with their unpaid tolls.
- Payments not received within 30 days will accrue an additional $5 charge per unpaid toll.