Gov. John Kasich’s plan to borrow about $1.5 billion, backed by future revenue from tolls on the Ohio Turnpike, could speed up road construction projects that have been delayed across Ohio, including in the Dayton region.

But 90 percent of the money is slated to go to projects in the northern quarter of the state, where the turnpike is located, and Dayton-area leaders and Ohio Department of Transportation officials say it is too early to tell what specific projects might benefit.

“We’re in a $1.6 billion budget hole when it comes to funding highway transportation projects in Ohio, so there’s no money to complete some of these future phases or future projects,” said ODOT press secretary Steve Faulkner. “Can I say that ‘Project X’ will be constructed now because of this money? Not at this time. Those decisions have to be made by our Transportation Review Advisory Council. We have this whole big pot of projects that need to be funded.”

The extra revenue stream is intended to loosen the bottleneck of Ohio road projects in the same way that the reopening of a closed highway lane relieves a traffic jam.

Chris Kershner, vice president of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, said while southern Ohio would get some direct money from the turnpike borrowing, the domino effect might be the main benefit.

“This will help advance projects from the northern part of the state, which will then allow projects from other parts of the state to hopefully advance as well,” he said. “Putting more money into the pot for transportation projects is good for the state as a whole.”

Kasich spoke to a gathering of local leaders Friday at the Dayton Convention Center, saying it’s critical that Ohio has the best infrastructure possible as it looks to continue its economic recovery.

“We’ve been doing more with less,” Kasich said. “I’m here to announce today that we’re going to be able to do more with more.”

The plan, which would have to be approved by the legislature, calls for Ohio to issue roughly $1.5 billion in bonds, then use that money to leverage another $1.5 billion in matching funding from local jurisdictions and the federal government for specific projects.

Asked whether it was a good idea to issue so much debt, Kasich said Ohio’s economy is more stable and structurally balanced than it was a few years ago. John Minor, president of the JobsOhio development organization, added that it is an ideal time to borrow given the state of the bond markets.

“In terms of debt on an asset like this, this is not an abnormal way to do things and will not put us in a position where we’ve got trouble with debt service,” Kasich said.

Kasich also said the increase in road projects would put more people back to work in construction and other industries.

Kasich’s idea of borrowing against the turnpike has proved more popular than selling or leasing it — two other ideas that had been considered. But some Democrats said they still are not in favor of the plan.

“Given the recent Supreme Court ruling that taxes from motor fuel sales are to be used only for roads, bridges and other transportation projects; it is premature to start borrowing against our future,” State Rep. John Patrick Carney, D-Clintonville, said in a statement. “We have $140 million of unencumbered annual transportation dollars that we should first determine how best to stretch and spend.”