- Ohio Turnpike Celebrated A Landmark Anniversary Yesterday
- October 1st Is Also A Red-Letter Day For The Pennsylvania Turnpike
- Indiana Toll Road Concessionaire Co-Sponsors Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign
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Ohio Turnpike Celebrated A Landmark Anniversary Yesterday
On October 1, the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission (OTIC) held a headquarters ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of the highway’s opening. “The event . . . featured historic Ohio State Highway Patrol vehicles, hundreds of people and a performance from the Berea-Midpark High School Marching Band,” Spectrum News 1 reported.
In his remarks, OTIC Chair Jerry Hruby described some of the engineering and construction feats required to build 241 miles of superhighway across the state, and he called the 1955 opening a “dramatic moment” in Ohio and US history. Turnpike chief executive Ferzan Ahmed, PE, focused more on the present and future, commenting, “The Ohio Turnpike will emphasize safety, convenience and value. While improving our safety and convenience for customers, we will always strive to maintain our value by keeping our toll rates the lowest in the region.” He also noted “Turnpike Proud is our motto.”
Sources: OTIC news release, Spectrum News 1, Cleveland.com, WEWS News
Ohio Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure CommissionOctober 1st Is Also A Red-Letter Day For The Pennsylvania Turnpike
On October 1, 1940, following just 23 months of construction, the original 160 miles of the Pennsylvania Turnpike opened to traffic. Conceived by state leaders and financed with aid from the Franklin Roosevelt administration, the four-lane road earned the designation “America’s First Superhighway” because of its heroic scope and engineering quality. Today, “the pike” covers more than 565 miles and serves more than half a million customers every day.
In a news release marking the opening’s 85th anniversary, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) leaders looked ahead more than reminiscing. The commission “has been a transportation leader since our opening day. Eight and a half decades later we are still in growth mode, continuing to deliver ‘best in class’ operations that reinforce our mission of providing a safe, reliable, customer-valued toll road system that supports national mobility and commerce,” commented CEO Mark Compton. “I’m proud to help this organization advance excellence as it becomes a leader in mobility services and reinvigorates transportation, safety and customer experience.”
The turnpike’s 1,400 employees are “dedicated to safely improving and maintaining our roadway for all who ride and work on it,” said COO Craig Shuey. “Mixing modern and established techniques to preserve our historic roadway creates the best ride possible while preparing for future needs. We take immense pride in maintaining the PA Turnpike and setting the pace for industry innovation. I’m confident we’ll continue to be a trendsetter for decades to come.”
PTC’s recently completed and ongoing innovations include:
- A fully electronic, open-road toll collection system, completed on eastern segments and under construction on the highway’s western stretches
- A 500-mile fiber optic broadband network that will power electronic tolling and connected and autonomous vehicle technology, with enough surplus capacity to connect underserved communities and generate non-toll revenue for turnpike operation and maintenance
- Setting a goal to become America’s First Sustainable Superhighway by 2040 through projects involving microgrid installations, in-road, inductive wireless charging pilots, Stormwater Asset Management (SWAMP) and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) programs, and roadside pollinator habitat creation
- Introduction of an AI-powered chatbot that creates an additional service and information pipeline for customers
Sources: PTC news release, PennLive
AET (All-Electronic Tolling) Climate Change & Infrastructure Resilience Customer Service Experience Environmental Protection Policies Procedures And Initiatives Information Technology Resources and Acquisitions Open-Road Tolling Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC)Indiana Toll Road Concessionaire Co-Sponsors Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign
The ITR Concession Company (ITRCC), operator of the Indiana Toll Road, announced the launch of a campaign — “Be Secure. Stay Secure” — to educate and empower the public to safeguard personal information from cyber threats. The effort, in which ITRCC is partnered with local universities, senior living centers, and the Steuben County YMCA, coincides with the federal government’s observance of Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
The partners will host four lunchtime information events during October. The sessions will focus “on educating individuals about the importance of password security and proactive safety measures to stay vigilant in today’s digital landscape,” and build on a 2024 ITRCC effort to raise smishing awareness.
Source: ITRCC news release
Cybersecurity Indiana Indiana Toll Road Concession Company (ITRCC) Public Outreach And CommunicationSubscription Information
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