Ohio Turnpike To Build Greener Service Plazas

CLEVELAND - The Ohio Turnpike plans to build a pair of “greener” service plazas powered by renewable energy, with electricity for truckers to heat or cool their rigs without keeping their engines running.

Officials say the plazas on both sides of the turnpike in Williams County, 20 miles from the Indiana border, also will offer ethanol and have stations for recharging electric cars. Plus, Turnpike Executive Director George Distel says truck drivers who stop will have the ability to hook up to cable and the Internet.

The Turnpike Commission awarded about $31 million in construction contracts on Monday. Most of the money will come from last year’s toll increase for drivers paying cash.

The new service plazas will open next year.

source: nbc4i