Picking up trash, tire debris and other objects left behind by motorists on the Ohio Turnpike remain a costly and time-consuming job for the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission’s full-time maintenance and roadway workers.
In 2021, the turnpike’s crews stationed at eight maintenance buildings along the 241-mile turnpike spent more than 21,000 hours collecting nearly 4,000 cubic yards of litter, which would fill the cargo beds of 2,000 pickup trucks. The labor cost alone for trash removal was $580,000 last year.
Litter removal is required to keep the roadway drainage and storm sewers clear of blockages and eliminate potential mosquito breeding areas.
Additionally, the removal of litter keeps materials from reaching streams, rivers and lakes and ultimately degrading overall water quality of the various recreational resources.
Turnpike officials urge customers to properly dispose of trash so that maintenance crews can focus time on maintaining the roadway and infrastructure.
Turnpike crews maintain 1,395 lane miles of highway and about 3,500 acres of surrounding property across 13 counties in northern Ohio.
Littering from a motor vehicle is a traffic violation under Ohio law. Drivers can be cited by the Ohio Highway Patrol and also can be held responsible for litter discarded by passengers. A minor misdemeanor, the offense is punishable with a fine of up to $100.
