A memo obtained by 13 Action News shows the Ohio Turnpike Commission estimated it could lose up to $41.9 million a year if tolling went fully electronic. The commission raised the revenue concern in response to a recommendation from the National Transportation Safety Board following its review of a deadly crash on the turnpike in August 2024.
The recommendation came after an SUV driver slowed near the toll plaza in Swanton Township, trying to cut over and pay the toll after pulling a ticket. The driver pulled in front of a tractor trailer, causing an accident that killed four people. Drivers with E-ZPass can bypass the plaza. The NTSB called the accident avoidable and recommended the turnpike go completely electronic for tolling.
The turnpike commission said in a November 2024 memo responding to the NTSB that several options had been evaluated dating back to 2016. When asked how much revenue would be lost if the turnpike went all electronic, the commission said up to 12.6%, or about $41.9 million yearly.
When asked about obstacles to closing the low-speed lanes, the commission said cameras, hardware and infrastructure would all need to be upgraded to full electronic.
The low-speed lanes were added in the last few years on the far west and east ends of the turnpike, making part of the turnpike toll free. Officials say the lanes have also contributed to confusion, with drivers unclear if they need to pull off to pay or keep going. That confusion played a role in the deadly accident and is still happening today.
In less than an hour of the I-TEAM watching Thursday, the I-TEAM counted four different instances of drivers making last-minute lane changes to get to the ticket lane. Some of the lane changes included a vehicle darting between fast-moving semis.
The NTSB reviewed close to 1,100 of those last-minute lane changes over a three-week period.
The turnpike commission declined to do an interview Thursday. Turnpike officials said Wednesday they are reviewing the NTSB findings.
