A resolution expressing opposition to the proposed lease of the Ohio Turnpike will be on the agenda of Oregon City Council on Monday.

Gov. John Kasich has proposed leasing the 241-mile turnpike to private interests to turn a profit.

“Oregon believes that leasing the currently well-maintained turnpike will result in a lesser maintained roadway and higher tolls unrelated to the actual cost of its safe operation,” states the resolution.

It goes on to say that the increase in truck traffic on parallel secondary roads, including State Route 2, “as a result of almost certain higher tolls, will accelerate the deterioration of the roads and less safe driving conditions.”

The resolution is being sponsored by Councilmen Jerry Peach and Mike Sheehy.

“The administration is pursuing to lease the turnpike in order to capture the inherent value of the turnpike, which is currently operated by the Ohio Turnpike Commission,” Peach said at a committee of the whole meeting on Aug. 15. “The 24th of this month, which is soon to occur, is the deadline set for the Department of Transportation and the Office of Management and Budget in seeking advisors who would assist the Kasich administration in evaluating what course of action might best convert the Ohio Turnpike as an asset into either a lump sum cash value or an ongoing rental of the turnpike for an indeterminate period of time. I think council recognizes that there are some obvious pitfalls to pursuing that approach. I think most agree that for the turnpike to be converted into an operation operated by a private, profit-driving concern, something is likely to give, whether it’s the toll structure or the maintenance of the turnpike, all of which are likely to result in the detriment of those communities that are along the turnpike route.”

Sheehy agreed.

“My concern is, not just the turnpike, which originally was a road bonded and built by the taxpayers in the state of Ohio. It’s my understanding that at some point it would be a public road,” said Sheehy. “Of course, that hasn’t worked out. But it has served as a good thoroughfare for commercial and public traffic moving from east to west. For all intents and purposes, it’s been a very successful operation.”

The turnpike, supported by taxpayers, is about to be seized for private gain, he said.

“Some communities in this country are losing their water supplies to foreign entities because those foreign entities – if they can seize those things – can make money off of them. At some point, I think people are going to regret having done so. This is one of those instances, clearly, where the loss of control by the turnpike commission, I think, would have a detrimental effect to the public safety of this community. As Paul Roman, our engineer has pointed out, it’s going to beat the dickens out of the roads. And we’re going to be responsible for the surface roads in the community. So I hope all of you will join Mr. Peach and myself in opposing this,” said Sheehy.

Council member Sandy Bihn, who said she will be supporting the resolution, asked where the document would be sent if it is passed by council.

“Do we want it to go to the Kasich administration and the leaders of the legislature? It doesn’t say that. Is it just assumed? Will we be asking other communities to join us in this effort? I think that would be a good idea, also.”

“There is no limitation to whom this could be sent,” said Peach. “Other communities certainly would be included. I don’t think language in the resolution directing where it would be sent would be necessary. But I’d like to see this receive the widest possible distribution. Of course, with the utilization of the Internet, it becomes quite easy. Other communities have already expressed their skepticism of the idea of leasing the Ohio turnpike. They have recognized, among other things, that the Indiana turnpike, which has been leased for five years now, has seen its tolls doubled in costs to the traveling public and to those citizens who reside parallel to the turnpike and use the turnpike.”

“I think there’s such rich history here,” said Bihn. “At least about the Indiana toll [road]” said Bihn, referring to problems encountered in Indiana when the governor leased the turnpike to private interests in 2006. “This road was built free. I don’t think other people in the area know these things. We’ve become more sensitive to it, I think, because of Rt. 2. It’s closer to home, we’re aware of this better. But I kind of like to see this strengthened by some history in it if possible. If it doesn’t happen, I’ll still support it. But I think I’d like to see widespread support from other communities to get some momentum. I’ve been on the Indiana turnpike. It’s bad. It’s very bad. Its condition is bad, the restrooms were terrible, the condition of the roadway was bad, the tolls were high. There certainly is justification for doing this.”

Peach agreed that such suggestions could be included in the resolution by Monday.

Councilman James Seaman said he will also vote for the resolution.

“When we look at the history of the turnpike, we all remember the late [State Rep.] Fred Deering. He was complaining that when it was paid off, we had to continue to pay tolls on it. There was a promise to us not to even have to pay tolls and it would remain public. Now they’re taking it another step further,” said Seaman. “They’re seizing it from us. It’s highway robbery.”

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