Turnpike tackles questions from Customers

The Ohio Turnpike is committed to excellence in customer service. In the spirit of that commitment, Randy Cole, Executive Director, answers E-ZPass® questions from readers. This is the fifth such "Q & A" in a periodic series.

Question: How do I update my credit card info on my E-ZPass account? (from Christine Brown, Hudson, Ohio)

Answer: E-ZPass customers may update their credit card information through the internet by clicking on "Manage my account" on the Ohio Turnpike website. Log in with your user name and password and you will see your "Account Summary." Select "Payment" from the tabs at the top of the page and select "Auto-replenishment." Next, update your credit card information and/or add an additional credit card to the account if you wish to do so. Make sure you click "SAVE" to complete the credit card update.

In addition, the E-ZPass Customer Service Center (CSC) representatives are available to answer questions regarding your account, Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at 1-88-TURNPIKE. After normal business hours, callers may find helpful information through the interactive voice response system at the same phone number or by visiting our FAQs page for answers to frequently asked questions.

Randy Cole
Executive Director

" Our customer Service Department provides excellent and courteous service every day."
-- Randy Cole, Executive Director

How to stay safe if your vehicle breaks down

Vehicle mechanical issues are always an inconvenience and sometimes they can put drivers in harm's way, as with the recent tragic case of a man from New Hampshire who ran out of gas and was struck and killed by a hit-skip driver of a commercial vehicle.

"If your vehicle does break down, your first priority should be safety for yourself and your passengers. Knowing what to do in a breakdown in advance may help make the difference between life or death," said Ed Miller, Ohio Turnpike Safety Services Manager.

If you do encounter a problem while driving, make sure you are aware of your general location. Note the mile marker, last exit number or service plaza. You will need this information when calling for assistance. On most roads, you should move safely onto the far right shoulder, as far off the road as possible while remaining on level ground.

Switch on your emergency flashers and once you and any passengers are in a safe location, call *990 for assistance and a Turnpike Incident Management Vehicle will make its way to you as quickly as possible. If you choose to exit the vehicle, do so safely and well away from traffic. If possible, you and any passengers should exit through the side of the vehicle facing away from the road.
 

Emergency Safety Tips

If your vehicle breaks down, follow these tips for safety:

• Know your location including nearest milepost number;
• Move safely onto the far right shoulder;
• Activate emergency flasher signals
• Exit the vehicle from the passenger side, away from traffic
• Call *990 for assistance and if possible, stay in and with your vehicle.
• Don't leave the engine on for extended periods to reduce risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Call *990 if you break down.
 

Work Zone activity is not always apparent but slowing down for your own safety is imperative

One fairly common complaint that Turnpike administrators hear is that customers get frustrated in work zones because they believe they are slowing down for no reason if they don't see any workers in the zones.

"The Ohio Turnpike is in the midst of its largest capital improvement program in more than a decade," noted Chief Engineer Anthony Yacobucci. "Work occurs at various locations throughout the day in each work zone, including at night when traffic volumes and ambient temperatures are lower. The lack of a shoulder or adjacent lane, as well as narrower lanes and shoulder widths, reduces the recovery area for errant and/or distracted drivers. For these reasons, lower speed limits are required to safely move traffic through work zones."

"While work may not be performed all hours of the day, temporary traffic control devices and barriers cannot be removed each day because it is neither cost effective nor efficient," Yacobucci added. "For the sake of the workers and the traveling public, we post speed limits in work zones that are appropriate for the parameters of each zone."

In the base pavement replacement program there are approximately 30 to 40 workers on each project in a particular work zone. There are also five to six inspectors on each project. With four base pavement work zones this year taking place in Cuyahoga, Lorain, Mahoning, Sandusky and Trumbull Counties, that means a total of 140-180 workers and inspectors in these zones.

"These workers are mothers, fathers and grandparents and we ask that customers be considerate of their safety. Please follow the posted speed limits in work zones, which range from 50 mph to 60 mph," said Yacobucci. The projects are listed below for your information.
 

Anthony Yacobucci
Chief Engineer

Join us at our Customer Appreciation Day on June 19

In a continuing effort to show its appreciation to customers, the Ohio Turnpike is hosting a Customer Appreciation Day on June 19 at the Erie Islands Service Plaza located at Milepost 100 in Sandusky County.

This Friday's event at Erie Islands from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., "Summer Vacation" is the theme and travelers will be treated to free samples from AVI Food Systems, Carvel Ice Cream and multiple Ohio Heartland vendors. Scheduled to participate are Great Lakes Smoked Meats of Lorain, Heini's Cheese of Berlin, Ohio, Schlecter Brothers Country Harvest of Amherst, Figg's Apple Pie of Mansfield and Udderly Smooth of Salem, Ohio.

The Ohio Turnpike, Ohio State Highway Patrol and Sunoco will participate with children's activities, coupons and safety information. There will also be a simulated work zone and a distracted driving simulator present to show how important it is to drive safely in work zones and without distractions.

"We look forward to meeting customers and providing them with a fun and interactive stop during their travels," said Adam Greenslade, Director of Government Affairs, Marketing and Communications. "There will be many free samples, informative displays and a festive atmosphere."

Customer Appreciation Days

Upcoming Schedule:

June 19
Erie Islands Service Plaza
Clyde, Ohio

July 2
Vermilion Valley Service Plaza,
Amherst, Ohio

July 31
Middle Ridge Service Plaza
Amherst, Ohio

Sept. 18
Erie Islands Service Plaza
Clyde, Ohio

Nov. 25
Middle Ridge Service Plaza
Amherst, Ohio


Distracted Driving Simulator will be at Erie Islands on June 19.
 

"Click or Ticket" video says adults know better

Everyone has their excuses. There's no time. You don't want to look silly or wrinkle your clothes. You can stop yourself with your hands or airbag. You want to be able to move around. Come on now. Kids may not know better, but adults do. It's time to "buck up and buckle up," as seen in the video below. Because no matter how you say it, not wearing your seat belt just isn't smart.

Fitch affirms Turnpike's AA senior lien bonds and A+ junior lien bonds

Fitch Ratings has affirmed its ratings on revenue bonds sold by the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission. The ratings of 'AA' for $556 million in senior lien revenue bonds and 'A+' for $1.02 billion in junior lien revenue bonds, was announced with a stable outlook for both ratings.

Key rating drivers that Fitch used include the fact that the Ohio Turnpike is a key east-west interstate connector that faces limited competition and has a stable traffic base of commercial traffic compared with other toll roads. The report also recognized that the Commission has historically produced consistently sound financial results. For example, traffic and revenue were up 1.7 percent and 3.9 percent, respectively, in 2014.

"Fitch recognizes the Ohio Turnpike is a strategic asset with low revenue volatility and is deserving of its ratings affirmation," said Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission Chairman Jerry Hruby.

Jerry Hruby
Chairman

" We are proud to know that we are again one of the highest-rated toll roads in the nation."
-- Turnpike Chairman Jerry Hruby

Stay informed on changing traffic patterns due to accidents, work zones and construction delays,
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Copyright © 2015 Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, All rights reserved.
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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.

Our mailing address is:
Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission
682 Prospect Street
Berea, OH 44017
440-234-2081

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