Ohio Turnpike will see record revenues - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

Ohio Turnpike will see record revenues

BEREA, Ohio (AP) - Toll increases will help the Ohio Turnpike see record revenue of about $270 million this year.

Turnpike officials reported Thursday that a 10% toll increase to start the year, combined with traffic running higher than projected, will generate about $250 million in tolls.

And money from service plaza concessions and other sources will raise year-end revenues to an all-time high of about $270 million.

The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer (http://bit.ly/Tvyy81 ) reports that Gov. John Kasich (KAY'-sihk) is expected to announce soon whether his office wants to lease all or parts of the turnpike operation, such as toll collection, or merge the toll road with the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Kasich says the idea is to "unlock" the toll road's value and help cash-strapped Ohio finance more transportation projects.

Information from: The Plain Dealer, http://www.cleveland.com

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