Tom Warne Report, 1 June 2012
The Ohio Department of Transportation is taking many measures in its plans for financial recovery, just one of which is privatizing the Ohio Turnpike. In an address by ODOT Director Jerry Wray this week, the agency presented a roadmap in cost cutting and revenue boosting efforts in addition to the potential Turnpike lease.
“What happens with the Ohio Turnpike is just one piece,” Wray said, following a presentation to state legislators, reporters and ODOT employees. “And that one is probably further out than the others.”
ODOT has made progress in improving the financial future for the agency, including changes to its approach to budgeting, looking at way to cut operating expenses, and by cutting its staff by 400 through attrition. Plans have begun to build highway service plazas on Route 23 south of Columbus, which will generate revenue for the department.
“The news is better than we had forecast last January,” Wray said, referring to when the ODOT announced that funding concerns had become so serious that some projects would be delayed for decades. While some will still be pushed back, it may not be for as long, he said, and the department will release more details of a final list of major new projects at the June 6 Transportation Review Advisory Council meeting.