The Top 3 facts customers don't know about E-ZPass®

One of the most surprising findings in a recent survey of E-ZPass customers is that nearly half don't realize that using E-ZPass actually saves them money. Here are the top three facts that customers don't always know about E-ZPass:

1. Forty-eight (48) percent of existing customers don't realize cash tolls cost more than E-ZPass tolls. An E-ZPass customer may even pay up to 50 percent less on a single trip.
2. E-ZPass transponders are available at 90 northern Ohio Giant Eagle Stores, all Ohio Turnpike Service Plazas and online via our E-ZPass Hub. Tell your colleagues, friends and family members so they can share in the savings!
3. E-ZPass is valid for use in 15 states: Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia and West Virginia. E-ZPass is also accepted at all three bridge crossings of the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission. I know this firsthand because my son recently visited Ontario and used our family's E-ZPass to cross the border!

Randy Cole
Executive Director

Collect 60th Anniversary merchandise while supplies last

Back by popular demand -- the Ohio Turnpike is offering to readers of the Customer Connection a limited series of gold-plated 60th Anniversary key chains, commemorative coins and lapel pins, in partnership with the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Own a piece of history

For sale to readers is a limited edition series of gold-plated key chains, commemorative coins and lapel pins.

Commemorative key chain with iconic State Highway Patrol Flying Wheel logo on the reverse side.
        
        
60th Anniversary Lapel Pin

Watch 60th Anniversary Video Scrapbook 2nd edition

The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission recently preserved its collection of historical film footage from the earliest days of construction. This is the second scene to be shared in the Customer Connection in observance of the 60th Anniversary (1955-2015).

The official groundbreaking ceremony for the Ohio Turnpike took place on Oct. 27, 1952. Ground was broken on the site of Pier 3 of the Cuyahoga River Bridge on the west bank of the Cuyahoga River in Boston Township, Ohio, in Summit County.

The site is also historic inasmuch as the first Turnpike construction contract awarded was for the substructure (piers and abutments) of the Cuyahoga River Bridge, the longest (2,682 feet) structure of the project. It was awarded to the Horvitz Company of Cleveland, whose bid of $1,163,433 was the lowest of 17 bids submitted.

This month's scene shows footage of iron workers moving about on the original superstructure of the Cuyahoga River Bridge. The structure outlived its useful life and was demolished in 2003 to make way for a new bridge.

Jerry Hruby
Chairman

Ohio Lottery offers more chances to win at Service Plazas

Customers now have more opportunities to play the Ohio Lottery at Ohio Turnpike Service Plazas.

Thanks to a new partnership with the Ohio Lottery, one ticket vending machine has been added inside each of the Turnpike's 14 service plazas. Turnpike customers will notice better placement of two machines inside each of the plazas, which provides greater convenience to customers who choose to play for a chance to win instantly.

The machines sell instant scratch-off tickets, daily numbers and games (Pick 3, 4 and 5, KENO) plus jackpot games (Mega Millions, Powerball, Classic Lotto and Rolling Cash 5).

Trooper Erika Englund says Move Over or Slow Down

Erika Englund knows firsthand why it's so important to slow down for stopped emergency vehicles. On a snowy night in November of 2013, she was outside of her cruiser at a crash scene when she was struck on I-70 by a vehicle traveling too fast for icy road conditions. Her left leg was amputated because of injuries she sustained from that night, and she was forced to retire from the Highway Patrol at the rank of sergeant.

Erika is a mother of two who credits the support of her family for the ability to persevere through the recovery process. She underwent 13 surgeries within one year and is currently in physical therapy.  Her story ties in with the #moveover campaign, which has shined the light on Move Over laws nationwide.

Ohio's Move Over law requires motorists to move over one lane when passing any vehicle with flashing or rotating lights parked on the highway. If moving over isn't possible because of traffic or weather conditions, motorists must slow down and proceed with caution.

To help minimize delays caused by restricted lane access, Ohio Turnpike maintenance crews will continue to perform roadway maintenance using night-time work zones through Sept. 4. Portable message boards will caution customers prior to arriving in night-time work zones between Toledo and Youngstown (Mileposts 64 and 218).

The scheduled hours for night-time work are from 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., Monday through Friday. Turnpike customers are advised to exercise caution during the approach to and travel through the zones, according to Ohio Turnpike Maintenance Engineer Chris Matta.

"In order to efficiently perform maintenance tasks in or near the center lane it is necessary to have the work performed at night during our peak travel season," Matta said. "However, day or night, it is important for customers to recognize the advance warning signage and speed limit restrictions leading into and through our work zones."

Click here for more information on night-time work zone projects and locations during the month of August.

Chris Matta
Maintenance
Engineer

Ohio Turnpike hosts Customer Appreciation during Sturgis Bike Week

The Ohio Turnpike's Middle Ridge Service Plaza in Amherst, Ohio, hosted a Customer Appreciation Event for travelers on July 31. Among them were hundreds of motorcycle enthusiasts who made the Ohio Turnpike their road of choice to the 75th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota, an annual pilgrimage where thousands of bikers gather and tour the scenic Mount Rushmore State.

Riders on the Turnpike came from places as far away as Massachusetts and Maine and were more than glad to take a break to enjoy free samples from the Ohio Heartland Stores, HMS Host and AVI Food Systems. Also participating were Sunoco and the Ohio State Highway Patrol, which helped spread the message to "Look out for Motorcycles."

60th Anniversary penny press now at 4 Service Plazas

Souvenir pennies for the Ohio Turnpike's 60th Anniversary (as pictured below) are now available for a limited time only for purchase at penny press machines located inside four Ohio Turnpike Service Plazas. Collectors will find the press machines  at the Tiffin River, Vermilion Valley, Middle Ridge and Mahoning Valley Service Plazas.

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.

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

Unsubscribe from this list     Update subscription preferences