Tagged: Transportation

The State Highway Patrol says the number of crashes reported along the Ohio Turnpike increased about 5 percent during the first year of its higher 70 mph speed limit compared with the previous year.

The speed limit for the 241-mile toll road increased from 65 mph to 70 mph in April 2011.

There were 2,539 crashes from April 2011 to March 2012. That's 134 more crashes than the number reported from April 2010 to March 2011.

A patrol spokeswoman tells The Plain Dealer in Cleveland the agency hopes lawmakers note those numbers as they consider legislation that would raise the speed limit to 70 mph on parts of other Ohio interstate highways. She says the patrol is concerned about road safety and believes higher speeds will mean more crashes.

The speed limit for cars and trucks on Ohio's interstate highways would increase from 65 mph to 70 mph under a bill passed by a House committee.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio's highway department says 14 companies are bidding to help guide the state with the possible lease of the Ohio Turnpike.

Gov. John Kasich said earlier this month that he wants to hire a team of private consultants to help the state determine how to get the best financial bang from the turnpike.

Ohio's Department of Transportation says bids came from 14 companies, including investment banks and law firms from across the country.

Kasich's plan calls for the winning team to play a role in picking a private operator for the roadway if that happens.  The Republican governor believes leasing the turnpike could bring the financially ailing state as much as $2.5 billion.