The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission’s new toll collection system is nearing the final stages of completion. The switch to the new system–which began last year–will be phased in gradually over the next several weeks.
To accommodate travelers on the 241-mile turnpike, the new toll collection system will feature a combination of open road tolling lanes for E-ZPass customers and a gated exit system for non-E-ZPass customers who prefer to pay by cash or credit card.
Modernization of the system is the largest construction project in Ohio Turnpike history since the road’s completion in October 1955.
E-ZPass Entry/Exit Gates
Motorists entering the turnpike with E-ZPass have been experiencing features of the new system since early 2023.
The first phase, which permanently opened the entry gates in all E-ZPass toll booth lanes, was successfully deployed at 20 interchanges from toll plaza 52, Toledo Airport-Swanton, in Lucas County to toll plaza 209, Warren, in Trumbull County.
More significantly, 127 lanes at the interchanges were upgraded with new electronic tolling components, including sensors and other equipment to read EZPass transponders, and to classify vehicles by the number of axles and vehicle height.
Automated toll payment machines, which accept cash and credit cards, were installed at all 20 interchanges as well as the four mainline toll plazas.
The lane conversion process also included the installation of message signs in the toll booth lanes when entering and exiting the turnpike.
When the new system goes live, following the completion of testing, the exit gates in all dedicated EZPass lanes from plazas 52 to 209 will be opened.
When driving through the toll booth lanes, even though the gates are up, motorists are reminded to always follow the posted 10 mph speed limit for the safety of themselves, other motorists and turnpike staff.
Non-toll Plazas
As part of the new system, nine toll plazas will become non-tolled. These interchanges will still be accessible, but there will be no toll collection on site.
This means cash customers entering and exiting at these locations will no longer stop to take a toll ticket or pay a toll, and EZPass transponders will no longer be read.
The interchanges are 13, Bryan-Montpelier, Williams County; 25, Archbold-Fayette, Fulton County; 34, Wauseon, Fulton County; 39, Delta-Lyons, Fulton County; 215, Lordstown-West, Trumbull County; 216, Lordstown-East, Trumbull County; 218, Niles-Youngstown, Mahoning County; 232, Youngstown, Mahoning County, and 234, Youngstown-Poland, Mahoning County.
The overhead signs on the gantry will read, “No Toll. Keep Moving.”
New Westgate Toll Plaza
The current Westgate plaza at milepost 2 in Williams County will close and a new one will open at milepost 4 in Williams County near the Ohio/Indiana border.
New flat rate tolls will be assessed for both E-ZPass and cash customers traveling in both eastbound and westbound directions through the new mainline toll plaza.
E-ZPass customers can travel nonstop at highway speeds on the dedicated open road tolling lanes. Customers without E-ZPass will be required to drive through the cash lanes on the right side of the plaza, stop and pay their toll.
Tolls At Eastgate Plaza
As part of the new system, Eastgate Toll Plaza at milepost 239 in Mahoning County, near the Ohio/Pennsylvania border, will become a one direction flat rate toll plaza.
All customers traveling eastbound on the Ohio Turnpike will not be charged a toll at Eastgate.
New flat rate tolls will be assessed for both E-ZPass and cash/credit card customers traveling westbound through the renovated toll plaza.
Two New Plazas
Two new plazas, Swanton Toll Plaza, milepost 49 in Lucas County, and Newton Falls Toll Plaza, milepost 211, in Trumbull County, will open as part of the changes. The plazas will serve as the new ends of the ticketed toll system.
E-ZPass customers will be able to travel nonstop at highway speeds on the dedicated open road tolling lanes in both directions.
Customers without an EZPass traveling eastbound and westbound to Swanton or Newton Falls will be required to drive into the cash/credit card lanes on the right side of the plazas, stop and take a ticket.
Toll Schedules
When the system goes live, additional toll schedules will go into effect to account for:
•The change in the number of toll plazas from 31 to 24;
•The new tolling points at Swanton and Newton Falls, and
•The flat rate tolls at Eastgate and Westgate plazas.
The overall toll rate per mile traveled will not change at this time.
