OHIO - According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Ohio Governor John Kasich is moving forward with plans to lease the Ohio Turnpike.
In late July, Kasich was in Toledo touting a plan to lease the toll-road to a private entity.
Toledo Mayor Mike Bell and Ohio Transportation Director Jerry Wray joined the Governor during his press conference, on privatizing the turnpike, to show their support.
According to Reginald Field, who writes for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Kasich's administration is now looking to hire a consultant who would "help determine the value of the toll road and assist with drafting a request for proposals that state lawmakers will be asked to approve about six months from now."
Field's article goes on to say that "the consultant will work with a task force pulled together by Kasich to begin collecting bids with a goal of securing a deal by spring 2013."
The Ohio Turnpike stretches almost 250 miles across northern Ohio from Pennsylvania to Indiana.
Those in favor of the privatizing the Ohio Turnpike have said any potential deal would include provisions to ensure the turnpike's lessee could not not unfairly increase the tolls.
Those against Kasich's plan say the move would threaten jobs and perhaps allow the turnpike to fall into disrepair.
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