The Ohio Turnpike Commission this week proposed new toll rates that will change how trucks and tractor-trailers are charged and will give a big break for E-ZPass users.


The commission is converting its aging toll collection system and offering electronic tolling (E-ZPass) to customers. The "go-live" date for the new system is planned for the fourth quarter of 2009. At that time, the commission also proposed to change the toll rate structure.

Truck tolls will be based on axle count, rather than weight, under the proposed rates.

The turnpike commission wants to encourage truckers with heavier loads to use the Ohio Turnpike rather than parallel routes. So under the proposed toll rate structure, heavier trucks will pay slightly less than truckers currently pay -- if they have E-ZPass -- while lighter trucks will pay somewhat more.

For instance, reports the Toledo Blade, a five-axle, 80,000-pound truck that now pays a $24.50 toll to go from I-75 to Pennsylvania would pay $1 less under the new rates if it has E-ZPass, but $29.25 without.

The fare hikes proposed for 2012, if adopted, would offer a 20 percent for five-axle trucks using E-ZPass.

The proposed fares were calculated with the turnpike's revenue needs balanced with encouraging heavy trucks to use the toll road instead of parallel routes and to provide incentive to use the E-ZPass system.

Larry Davis, president of the Ohio Trucking Association, told the Plain Dealer that his members have sought E-ZPass for years and realized tolls might have to rise.

The turnpike's proposed toll changes, including a second set of fare increases scheduled for Jan. 1, 2012, will be the subject of three hearings in December and January.

You can download the full "white paper" outlining the recommendations in pdf format at: www.ohioturnpike.org/media/pdf/adjustment_whitepaper_11-14-08_2pm.pdf

For the full proposed schedule of tolls: www.ohioturnpike.org/travelers/fares/proposed_adjustments/