Many states have bridge, tunnel or turnpike authorities that are responsible for financing, planning, operating and maintaining certain tolled facilities. These entities often operate or are financed and budgeted independently of the DOT. In many cases, however, the DOT director serves on the authority board as an ex officio member, in some cases as its chair. Examples of this include the Kansas Turnpike Authority, the Turnpike Authority of Kentucky, the Maine Turnpike Authority, the Maryland Transportation Authority, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, the Ohio Turnpike Commission, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority and the West Virginia Parkways Authority. In other cases such as the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, certain turnpike projects must be approved by the DOT.