Gov. Strickland Wants More Options to Create Tolls on New Roads, Bridges

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Gov. Ted Strickland is asking legislators to allow state transportation officials to create tolls for new roads and bridges.

The tolls are part of the governor’s proposal for the upcoming two-year budget. He said the tolls would not apply to existing roads.

Since 1955, the Ohio Turnpike has been the state’s only toll highway.

Ohio Department of Transportation director Jolene Molitoris said at least 26 states use tolling, which can ease traffic congestion and raise revenue for construction.

Strickland said he has no specific proposal in mind, but he said one idea would be to build truck-specific toll lanes along Ohio routes with heavy truck traffic.