TOLEDO, Ohio -
Two studies will look at whether leasing the Ohio Turnpike is a good idea. One study will be conducted by the State, the other by those against leasing the roadway.
Governor John Kasich (R-OH) says leasing the Turnpike will help fund road projects in Ohio but he's willing to study the idea before making up his mind.
During Tuesday's State of the State speech, the Turnpike was on the governor's mind.
He told a crowd in Steubenville, OH, "I haven't decided what we're going to do with this turnpike because if we don't get the money, we're not going to do it."
By "getting the money", the governor means if the State doesn't get the right price, he won't lease the Turnpike. But before he even makes that decision, the governor is commissioning a study to see if leasing is viable at all.
UT involved in study
The University of Toledo's Intermodal Transportation Institute will take part in the State's study. Richard Martinko, the director of the Institute, told 13 ABC reporter Bill Hormann, "We would assist them at evaluating any option at the turnpike and it's operation."
UTwill provide the governor with some options and pros and cons on private control and state control.
But opponents to the plan in Mahoning County in Eastern Ohio are funding their own study and Lucas County is on board. Commissioner Pete Gerken (D-Lucas County) says, "For entities in the northern tier to take a look at it independently, I think, is wise."
Important questions
Commissioner Gerken says any finding this second study reaches will have to be justified, but he says there are some important questions to answer like:
We need to know why leasing is being considered...
How much of leasing revenue northern Ohio gets to keep...
How the toll road will be maintained...
And whether there's a cap on toll hikes.
Gerken says, "These are all key questions that need to be in there that need to be answered from a Northern Ohio perspective."
Governor Kasich promises answers to those questions. But he says if the independent study finds leasing the better idea, we should move forward.
The Governor said, Tuesday, "Let us complete the study and see where we are but infrastructure has to be a critical part of the long-term growth of the state of Ohio."
Work on the State's study will begin, next week, and the governor will look over the results and make a decision on leasing perhaps by the end of the year.
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