(A) In order to remove present and anticipated handicaps 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.

Amended by 130th General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 533, §1, eff. 9/11/2014.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.7, HB 114, §101.01, eff. 6/29/2011.

Added by 128th General Assemblych.7, HB 2, §101.01, eff. 7/1/2009.