The review of Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission professional services contracts ordered by the agency’s new chief executive officer is a good move.

Nevertheless, a legitimate question is whether he has gone far enough in his directive. It would seem his proposal could be better, both from the agency’s general operational standpoint going forward and regarding the need to rebuild public confidence in the wake of a new, troubling grand jury report.

That report, the result of a four-year investigation, details an alleged long-running “pay to play” scheme. Corruption charges have been filed against a former state senator, three former top commission officials and two businessmen, as a result of the probe.

What’s troubling about Monday’s announcement by Mark Compton, the new CEO, is his stipulation that the professional services contracts review be carried out by the agency’s compliance officer.

All considered, such a review should be performed by someone not currently tied in any way to turnpike operations. That is the best way to ensure that the review will not be improperly influenced.

That is not to question the honesty of the compliance officer. However, due to the suspicion emanating from the grand jury report, the commission doesn’t need any more negative speculation about its actions. An independent review is the best way to proceed.

As part of the review, Compton said, employees and professional services contractors would be encouraged to contact the compliance officer about inappropriate conduct in regard to the awarding of contracts. But it’s reasonable to believe that employees with information relevant to the review would be more likely to come forward if they would be speaking with someone not tied to the agency.

Time will tell whether what Compton decides is correct.