Ohio Turnpike study costs revealed

DAYTON, Ohio (Dayton Business Journal) - A controversial study of how the state can make money off the Ohio Turnpike will cost taxpayers $2.85 million, says a state request for funding.

The Ohio Department of Transportation has asked the state Controlling Board for approval to pay $2.85 million for KPMG Corporate Finance LLC to help it evaluate options to leverage assets of the turnpike and rest areas along the 251-mile toll road. The board meets Feb. 13 to consider the request.

Gov. John Kasich has pushed for leasing the turnpike to generate money for the cash-strapped state, but Statehouse Democrats have resisted the idea.

Even funding for a study turned controversial. Plans originally called for $1.5 million to come from federal sources, but a political brouhaha over those plans prompted the U.S. Department of Transportation to revoke the funds. The agency later decided to allow the money to be used for the study.