Ohio Code § 5531.12

§ 5531.12.

(A) In order to remove present and anticipated impediments and potential hazards on the

highways in this state, to facilitate vehicular traffic throughout the state, to promote

the agricultural, commercial, recreational, tourism, and industrial development of

the state, and to provide for the general welfare of its citizens, the director of

transportation may approve toll projects.  Any revenue derived from toll projects shall be used only for purposes of the toll

project, including a toll project or any aspect of a toll project pursuant to a public-private

agreement authorized by sections 5501.70 to 5501.83 of the Revised Code , and shall not be expended for any purpose other than as provided in Section 5a of Article XII, Ohio Constitution .  The toll projects authorized by sections 5531.11 to 5531.18 of the Revised Code are part of the state highway system. (B) Any toll project shall be developed and submitted for selection in accordance with

the policies and procedures of the selection process of the transportation review

advisory council, created under Chapter 5512. of the Revised Code.  Each toll project may be separately designated, by name or number, and may be constructed,

improved, or reconstructed as the department of transportation may from time to time

determine pursuant to sections 5531.11 to 5531.18 of the Revised Code .  A toll project shall be considered a state infrastructure project as defined in section 5531.10 of the Revised Code for all purposes of that section and section 5531.09 of the Revised Code and also is a transportation facility as defined in section 5501.01 of the Revised Code . (C)(1) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit user fees to be charged on existing

nontoll public roads. (2) Division (C)(1) of this section does not apply to a toll project as described in division (N)(4) of section 5531.11 of the Revised Code .