Win a $50 Sunoco Gas Card

November 2015

Take the Distracted Driving Pledge and win a $50 gas card

Take the Ohio Turnpike Distracted Driving Pledge and share it with friends on social media for a chance to win a $50 Sunoco gas card. Protect the ones you love, including yourself, and pledge to limit the use of your electronic device behind the wheel to hands-free only. (Hands-free is not risk free, by the way.)

In 2014, distraction was a factor in 17,827 crashes in Ohio, including 44 fatal and 5,958 injury crashes. Use of a cell phone including texting behind the wheel was a factor in 16 percent of all distracted driving crashes, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP).

"In Ohio, texting behind the wheel is against the law for drivers of passenger vehicles and use of mobile phones is limited to hands-free operation for commercial drivers," said Randy Cole, Executive Director. "Cell phone use of any kind is against Ohio law for drivers under the age of 18."

"Distracted driving is any activity that diverts a person's attention away from the primary task of driving," said OSHP Staff Lt. William Weirtz. "This includes texting or using a mobile phone, using a navigation system while the vehicle is in motion, watching a video, adjusting a radio, eating and drinking, grooming and talking to passengers."

Customers will also have the opportunity to sign up to take the the Ohio Turnpike Distracted Driving Pledge in person at the Vermilion Valley Service Plaza on Nov. 25.

Randy Cole
Executive Director

Ohio Turnpike Snow & Ice Fleet is ready for Winter

The Ohio Turnpike made its final preparations for the upcoming winter season the week of Oct. 19-23, with comprehensive winter equipment inspections at its eight Maintenance Garages along the 241-mile mainline.

The Turnpike-wide, 135 point inspection of all snowplows and equipment takes place annually just before the first signs of winter weather.

Turnpike customers expect a premium road to travel during the winter," said Chris Matta, Maintenance Engineer for the Ohio Turnpike. "When required, crews will work 12-hour shifts seven days a week to provide customers with a safe and reliable route on the Ohio Turnpike." Read more.

Watch the entertaining time-lapsed video of our inspection process as seen at the Kunkle Maintenance Facility, below.

Chris Matta
Maintenance
Engineer

The Ohio Turnpike's Snow & Ice Fleet is ready for winter as seen in the Kunkle Garage.

Ohio Turnpike Construction Season Draws to a Close

The Ohio Turnpike's 2015 construction season is winding down, which means customers can expect limited or no orange barrels for their upcoming Thanksgiving holiday travel.

By the end of the year, the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission will have completed projects that were budgeted for $125 million on projects to upgrade the Turnpike. Included is the completion of two westbound pavement replacement projects in Cuyahoga and Sandusky Counties.

"We are nearing the end of our largest capital improvement program in more than a decade," said Randy Cole, Executive Director. "Travelers expect a safe, smooth road and these investments provide that value. Read more.

Tony Yacobucci
Chief Engineer

update on Major Construction Projects for 2015

Note: Completion of all construction projects is weather dependent.

Milepost 0.00 – 5.70 in Williams County, Pavement Repairs

Eastbound and westbound Ohio Turnpike roadway repairs and resurfacing have been completed. The repairs and resurfacing included right and left lanes as well as shoulders. All lanes are available to travelers.

Completion date: June 26, 2015

Milepost 16.10 – 19.10 in Williams County, Repairs and Resurfacing of 4 Bridges

The work at the bridges at mileposts 16.1 and 18.1 is complete and all lanes at these locations have been reopened to traffic. Work on the bridges at mileposts 17.1 and 19.1 will continue to approximately Nov. 20, 2015 and then be suspended until work resumes in March, 2016, with work scheduled to be completed by June 1, 2016.

Estimated completion date: June 1, 2016

Milepost 34.90 – 60.80 in Fulton & Lucas Counties, Rehabilitation of 3 Bridges

The work at the bridges at mileposts 34.9, 41.1 and 60.8 will be complete by approximately Nov. 20, 2015.

Estimated completion date: Nov. 20, 2015

Milepost 72.00 – 86.20 in Wood, Ottawa and Sandusky Counties, Pavement Repairs and Resurfacing

Eastbound and westbound Ohio Turnpike roadway repairs and resurfacing have been completed. The repairs included joint repair from milepost 72.0 to 74.15 and milepost 80.5 to 86.2. Additionally, the right and center lanes from milepost 74.15 to 80.5 were repaired and resurfaced. All lanes are available to customers.

Estimated completion date: July 27, 2015

Milepost 101.2 – 107.3 Sandusky County Base Pavement Replacement

Crews removed and replaced the original base pavement in the westbound and right center lanes. This completes the work for this two-year project as eastbound right and center lanes were replaced in 2014.

Estimated final completion date: Nov. 23, 2015

Milepost 117.3 – 118.1 in Erie County, Bridge Deck Repair and Rehabilitation of 2 Bridges

Work on the bridges at mileposts 117.3 and 118.1 was not performed in 2015 as originally planned. Instead, work will be performed in 2016, beginning approximately April 2, 2016.

Estimated completion date: Oct. 30, 2016

Milepost 144.10 – 149.24 in Lorain County, Base Pavement Replacement

Crews removed and replaced the original base pavement in the eastbound right and center lanes. This completes the work for the first year of this two-year project. Westbound right and center lanes will be replaced in 2016.

Estimated interim completion date: Nov. 25, 2015

Milepost 159.8 – 164.8 in Cuyahoga County, Base Pavement Replacement

Crews removed and replaced the original base pavement in the westbound right and center lanes. This completes the work for this two-year project as eastbound lanes were replaced in 2014.

Estimated final completion date: Nov. 20, 2015

Milepost 216.10 – 221.26 in Trumbull and Mahoning Counties, Base Pavement Replacement

Estimated interim completion date: Nov. 20, 2015

Pavement replacement projects strip old asphalt and concrete down to the base surface.

Sample and take Ohio products home for the holidays

Ohio Turnpike Thanksgiving travelers can sample Ohio-produced specialty products at the Vermilion Valley Service Plaza on Wednesday, Nov. 25.

Travelers will be treated to free samples from Ohio Heartland Stores. Scheduled to participate are Great Lakes Smoked Meats of Lorain, Heini's Cheese of Berlin, Ohio, Great American Popcorn, and Udderly Smooth of Salem, Ohio.

Customers also will have the opportunity to take the Ohio Turnpike Distracted Driving Pledge. Representatives of the Ohio Turnpike will be present handing out safety literature and answering questions about distracted driving.

Ohio Heartland Stores are in the Middle Ridge and Vermilion Valley Service Plazas.

Open Houses offer close-up views of Turnpike operations

Hundreds of employees, family members and neighbors joined Ohio Turnpike Maintenance Crews and their families to see the heavy equipment up close and meet the employees who take care of the Turnpike. The Open Houses took place on Oct. 24 at each of the Ohio Turnpike's eight Maintenance Buildings along the 241-mile Mainline.

The Open Houses were well received by the public and Alan Benjamin, who resides near Kunkle, Ohio, said he was impressed with the readiness of the equipment. "The trucks all looked new and in great condition regardless of their age," he said.

"It's a great testament to the leadership and workers that make that happen. The employees I talked to were very friendly and knowledgeable and were a great help in giving me an understanding of what they do."

Children and their parents enjoyed attending the Ohio Turnpike Open House on Oct. 24.

Purchase 60th Anniversary merchandise for holiday gifts

Ohio Turnpike gold-plated 60th Anniversary key chains, commemorative coins and lapel pins will make great holiday stocking stuffers this season.

The cost of the key chain and coin is $10 each plus shipping and handling. Orders are first-come, first served via the Ohio Turnpike website.

Also offered for purchase is a special edition, silver-plated 60th Anniversary lapel pin, which costs $5 plus shipping and handling.

Supplies are limited and the Ohio Turnpike's 60th Anniversary year is quickly coming to an end.

The opening of the Ohio Turnpike on Oct. 1, 1955 was recognized across the country and even in the White House.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower's Press Secretary sent a telegram to Gov. Frank J. Lausche to extend his "warm congratulations on the opening of the Ohio Turnpike."

"I know the President feels that its construction standards, its engineering advances, contribution to safety and quickness of travel and transport, reflect the enterprise and progressive spirit of a great state," said James Haggerty, President Eisenhower's Press Secretary, in the telegram dated Sept. 29, 1955.

Truck drivers enjoy taking a break with free showers, washrooms and laundry services at Ohio Turnpike service plazas, open 24 hours a day.

Stay informed on changing traffic patterns due to accidents, work zones and construction delays,
E-ZPass® updates and other Turnpike news by following us on Twitter and Facebook.

Copyright © 2015 Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you have a past relationship with the
Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission.

Published by the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission,
Randy Cole, Executive Director
Adam Greenslade, Director of Government Affairs, Marketing and Communications
Questions or suggestions? Contact Brian Newbacher, Editor, brian.newbacher@ohioturnpike.org.

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