Despite concerted opposition from trucking concerns and a proposed rate freeze, truckers could be about 10% more to use the Ohio Turnpike come the New Year.


Turnpike Commission Chairman Jerry Hruby has said the increase is necessary and already in the budget.

The previous chairman, Joseph Balog, said in June that rates should be held steady next year for users of the E-ZPass electronic toll system to satisfy truckers and give motorists a break during a tough economy, The Plain Dealer of Cleveland reported Thursday.

The Ohio Trucking Association is "adamantly opposed" to any increase, Larry Davis, the association's president said. He warned that numerous truckers will steer clear of the turnpike rather than pay higher rates.

The turnpike expects to lose about 2%of its truck traffic when rates go up, but one official says that "should dissipate over one to two years," the newspaper reported.

Truckers generate 22 percent of the traffic, but supply nearly 60 percent of the toll revenue.

Cross-state rates for truckers using E-ZPass -- specifically, trucks with six axles that are more than 7 feet, 6 inches high -- will increase from $45 to $50. Rates for users without E-Z-Pass will be higher.