COLUMBUS: The consultant studying whether it’s a good idea for the state to lease the Ohio Turnpike would be paid $2.85 million under a proposed contract.
Consulting firm KPMG will analyze options for the 241-mile toll road. The state Controlling Board is slated to consider its contract Monday.
The Columbus Dispatch reports the price is more than the state’s initial estimate of $1.5 million last year.
A spokesman for the Ohio Department of Transportation defended the cost, saying that more detailed work can be more expensive but the state wants the consultant to be as thorough as possible.
Gov. John Kasich has said leasing the turnpike to a private operator could bring in billions of dollars.
Critics fear it could lead to poor road maintenance and higher tolls.
