Leadership Views

As published in the April 1, 2016 Toledo Business Journal

Anthony Yacobucci, P.E., Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission

Anthony Yacobucci, P.E.
Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission

Turnpike to invest $1.25 billion over coming decade

Anthony D. Yacobucci has worked for the Ohio Turnpike Commission for the last six years, most recently as assistant chief engineer of structures and facilities before becoming chief engineer. Yacobucci shared his views with Toledo Business Journal about planned investment for the Ohio Turnpike:

Toledo Business Journal: Can you discuss the projected capital spending on the Ohio Turnpike during the next decade?

Anthony D. Yacobucci: The Commission’s Annual Capital Improvement Program will vary from about $100 million to $160 million each year over the next 10 years. The focus of the capital spending will continue to be pavement replacement, pavement resurfacing, and bridge rehabilitation programs. These three programs will continue to comprise about 80% of the total capital improvement program each year.

TBJ: What are the major categories where money will be spent and what is the amount of spending expected in these categories in 2016?

ADY:

TBJ: In 2016, can you discuss the major bridge projects that are scheduled to occur?

ADY: Five bridges in Williams County will be repainted and are located at Fish Creek Road (CR 1.5) over the Ohio Turnpike; and the Ohio Turnpike mainline bridges (eastbound and westbound) over SR 49 and over Nettle Creek. These projects are grouped together and we anticipate a contract award at the March commission meeting.

Five additional bridges that cross over the Turnpike in Williams County will be repainted and are located at Old SR 569 (CR 17); Eberly Home Road (CR 18); Clay’s Church Road (CR 19); Alvordton Road (CR 20), and Stryker-Lockport Road (CR 21N).

Three different construction companies are contracted to replace bridge decks and rehabilitate a total of 10 bridges in Williams and Fulton Counties.

The first project includes the bridge deck replacement and rehabilitation of four bridges in Williams and Fulton Counties located over the Ohio Turnpike at Clifton-Gunn Road; Rueger-Shetler Road (CR 18); Fulton-Williams Road (CR 19); and Spies-Handy Corners Road (CR 20).

Bridge decks, bearing devices, and expansion joints will be replaced and concrete will be weatherproofed. This nearly $3.2 million project was awarded to E.S. Wagner Company.

A separate contract covers the bridge deck replacement and rehabilitation of three bridges over the Ohio Turnpike in Fulton County, which are located at Raker-Barden Road (CR 7-2); Delta-Santee Road (CR 7); and Brigham-Fraker Road (CR 6-2).

This $2.54 million project was awarded to Miller Brothers Construction, Inc.

Another $3.1 million project was awarded to Mosser Construction, Inc. for the bridge deck replacement and rehabilitation of two bridges over the Ohio Turnpike in Williams County, which are located at Eberly Home Road (CR 18) and Alvordton Road (CR 20).

TBJ: For 2016, can you discuss major sign repair and replacement projects in northwest Ohio?

ADY: Signs will be repaired and replaced from near the Indiana line in Williams County into Lucas and Wood Counties as far east as the City of Rossford. This is a $334,000 project, awarded to M.P. Dory Company. The contract includes furnishing and installing new sign structures and signs along the Ohio Turnpike mainline roadway and interchange ramps; and guardrail upgrades.

TBJ: During the current year, what projects will be done at service plazas in northwest Ohio?

ADY: The truck fuel station canopy at the Tiffin River Service Plaza in Williams County will be repaired after a truck fire damaged it.

This $306,000 project is expected to be awarded to Lawrence Building Corp.

TBJ: Can you discuss projects in northwest Ohio that will involve pavement replacement?

ADY: We do not have any pavement replacement program projects scheduled in northwest Ohio this year, although we are currently constructing or have completed several pavement projects approximating nearly 23 miles in each direction in Sandusky and Erie Counties. We are currently scheduled to replace five miles of pavement in both directions in Wood and Ottawa Counties in 2018 and 2019.

In addition to our pavement replacement program, we will continue our pavement resurfacing program with three projects in northwest Ohio.

Approximately 4.5 miles of pavement will be repaired and resurfaced on the eastbound and westbound mainline in Fulton County. This $5.3 million project is expected to be awarded to Gerken Paving.

The second project is for pavement repair and resurfacing of approximately 14 miles eastbound and westbound in Lucas and Wood Counties. (This project is scheduled to be advertised as Project No. 59-16-02 with an anticipated contract award at the March Commission meeting.)

The third project is for the repair and resurfacing of the interchange ramp pavement at Exit 91 in Sandusky County. It consists of excavation and full depth reconstruction of existing shoulders and full depth pavement repairs. (It is scheduled to be advertised as Project No. 59-16-03, and we anticipate an award at the April Commission Meeting.)

TBJ: Can you discuss the benefits that the Ohio Turnpike Commission obtains from the E-ZPass system?

ADY: Customers benefit from E-ZPass because they save both time and money. In fact, the average saving to customers is 33%. Customers also enjoy the convenience of paying tolls hands-free. No ticket or cash is needed when you have an E-ZPass transponder properly installed on your windshield.

Toll plaza delays and traffic congestion is reduced because E-ZPass can process 250-300% more vehicles per lane. An additional benefit is that E-ZPass also helps reduce fuel consumption and auto emissions.

TBJ: What role will new technology play in the Ohio Turnpike’s future?

ADY: Technology will play a significant role. Our executive director, Randy Cole, is very interested in technology and is even serving on the advisory board of the “Ohio Smart Mobility Initiative” which is a collaboration between The Ohio State University, Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), and the Turnpike. The partners are working directly with auto manufacturers and technology companies on emerging technologies like connected and autonomous vehicles. There are exciting advancements on the horizon and the Ohio Turnpike is positioned to be on the leading edge of adoption.

TBJ: Can you discuss potential opportunities involving the 241 miles of fiber optic cable that runs the length of the Ohio Turnpike?

ADY: We already utilize the fiber for our own data and communications. We are now exploring options for providing additional services and communication with travelers, especially at the service plazas and how to best leverage the fiber for the emerging technologies I referenced previously. We will probably be making some announcements later this year.