The Ohio Turnpike Construction Certainty Paradox (Toledo to Cedar Point)

This is only marginally related to coasters but, if anyone else can confirm my suspicions it’s this group. Ok I have been personally driving to Cedar Point since fall of 2002, some years I’ve only gone once, other years I have lived in Toledo and went very often but ever since I started driving there has never been a trip where there was not construction somewhere on the Turnpike between the I-75 exit (mile 64) and the route 4 exit (mile marker 110.) Every single time going on 23 seasons now. [Turning on my Seinfeld voice] What is the deal? [off voice.]. It’s 46 miles, I understand the need for road maintenance but it’s become a bit of a running joke in my family. This thread is to document if there is ever a time that there is no construction in either direction.

May 2024 report: Left Lane closed for a couple miles going west around the Perry Rest Are (MM 100) as well as a construction zone just starting/ending at the 110 exit.

Just want to know if it’s just me

I suppose that toll money has got to go somewhere. Out my way it seems some part of the Turnpike is always under construction. Lots of bridge replacements are ongoing now.

On our way we hit the turnpike at Route 8 and head west, getting off at route 57 (Elyria/Lorain).

We have lived here for 15 years and I cannot think of a trip when there wasn't some type of construction along that roughly 40 mile route.

As someone who's been driving that section of the Turnpike for the last 10.5 years, yes, you're correct. They usually work on 10 mile stretches of the road at a time. I've just learned to give myself a little extra time during the summer months.

Here's the thing though... have you seen a better maintained highway than the Ohio Turnpike? It's 3 lanes, which is infinitely better than 2. The rest areas have up to 4 eating choices, restrooms are amazingly clean by rest area standards and there's 2 of each, so they can close one for cleaning with no problems. I've made this joke before that Ohio's 2 best features are their Metroparks and the Turnpike. It's quite literally the Disney of Highways, in that when you're on it, you see where your money is going.

Lately I've been taking Rte 2 instead, as it's equal in time for me, but right now it's Mufflehead season and you should stay clear of that route, especially at night.

I'm about to head out the door now for work (I drive from Lorain to Detroit) and will be on the Turnpike probably before you read this. I'll report back later tonight, haha.

The Ohio turnpike is nice but the tolling gates have got to go. I always seem to have an issue. I either get stuck behind someone who thinks the short EZ Pass lane is their ticket to the front and then struggles to pay or my EZ Pass doesn't scan and the gate doesn't open. I haven't had so much as a slow down at a PA Turnpike toll plaza since they went to pay by plate.

The NY thru-way between PA and Syracuse (and I assume farther) has no slowdowns either and they use the EZ-pass as the first method of tolling with the license plate being the 2nd method.

I believe that OH is going that same route although I have not been on it since the say they converted to this method.

re: eightdotthree, us Pittsburghers should be in better shape this year. They tore down the Eastgate plaza and replaced it with a new one after Youngstown that has full-speed EZ Pass lanes.

West of Toledo you now have EzPass express lanes like Chicago has had for years, no more gates except at exits.

Tommytheduck:

Here's the thing though... have you seen a better maintained highway than the Ohio Turnpike?

Not really. And to eightdotthree's point they are gone. At least a lot of them.

Glad to hear that! In the grand scheme of things it's not that big of a delay but super annoying when it's a Halloweekends Thursday night and you're trying to make it after work. Not that I would know... :)

You should obviously be taking US 2 from Toledo for the scenery and to avoid tolls.

(I have now completed the process of turning into my father.)

^When I lived in Perrysburg going route 2 would have meant going through downtown and then East Toledo, no thank you. Now a days I get on 80/90 at its origin just east of Gary IN, so it makes no sense to get off it “for the scenery” of central Ohio, there are no mountains and most of the way it’s too far in from the lake to enjoy the coastline.

Drove from Lorain to Detroit 6 days ago and back last night. (technically this morning.)

Going west I encountered less than 1 mile of construction/slowdown.

Going East I encountered about 5 miles of construction/slowdown.

Interesting. I wonder if that is why Waze has been sending me via 2 from MI->Sandusky, but the turnpike for the return trip.

Little more then a month later, unchanged, eastbound lanes cut by 1 by the Commodore Perry rest area, westbound right before I75 loss of one lane.

I hope I get a rest area named after me…

Are you one of the Commodores? I always suspected that you might be Lionel Ritchie

Just think, all you need to do is bully a technologically backward nation to open up trade with the US and you too can have a rest area in your name, and a rich suburb of a middle size midwestern city too.

I think you’re confusing your Commodore Perrys (Commodores Perry?)

Oliver Hazard Perry was Commodore in the Battle of Lake Erie; “we have met the enemy and he is ours,” etc.

Matthew Perry was Commodore in the Pacific who insisted the Japanese open trade with the rest of the world.

Don't forget Great Lakes Commodore Perry IPA. That deserves a rest stop, too.