Ohio Turnpike: 3 Lanes from Toledo to Youngstown

03/27/96

United Press International reported that the Ohio Turnpike is undertaking the biggest project in it's history, as it lays down third lanes in both directions between Toledo and Youngstown, and shoots for other improvements. The $250 million project will take four to six years to complete, and, in addition to the completion of third lanes, calls for resurfacing 27 miles of highway, renovating eight toll plazas, replacing the overpass bridges for I-480, and removing lead paint from and repainting the old Route 8 Bridge.

Traffic on the Ohio Turnpike has increased 400% since it opened; the third lanes are expected to relieve congestion and the risks that heavy traffic poses to safe transit. The three third-lane segments that will be constructed this year will take space for the extra lane out of the median. Concrete safety barriers will be placed in the middle to separate bi-directional travel.

The turnpike's 26th and 27th interchanges will open this fall providing access to the turnpike from Fulton County's Ohio route 109 and Ohio route 51. The following year the turnpike's 28th and 29th interchanges are slated to open and will connect to Ohio route 66 (Fulton County) and Ohio route 58 (Ottawa County).

The planned toll plaza renovations should provide a greater degree of automation and are designed to improve employees' working conditions.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel