“The governor listened to the people of Ohio,” Runyan said. “He did what he said he would do at the beginning of this process — gather as much data as possible, study it carefully, and reach decisions that are best for all Ohioans.”

Runyan says that having the Ohio Turnpike Commission (OTC) and ODOT work collectively to address transportation issues “is a huge step forward for the state.”

Under the governor’s plan, the OTC will remain an independent agency, but the two agencies have pledged to work collaboratively on projects outside the OTC’s traditional role, according to the Ohio Contractor’s Association.

The Ohio Jobs and Transportation Plan at a Glance

• No long-term, private lease;
• A continued public, independent Turnpike with expanded authority and renamed the “Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission;”
• More than 90 percent of new bond money will go directly to northern Ohio highway projects, including the Turnpike itself;
• Rebuilding the Ohio Turnpike will occur decades sooner than planned;
• Tolls for local trips paid with an EZ Pass are frozen for 10 years;
• All other toll rates are capped at inflation, which is significantly less than historic toll increases; and
• No Turnpike employee lay-offs are anticipated.