Latest news with #TollByPlate
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
PA Turnpike removes tollbooths at interchanges to improve safety
Jun. 11—WILKES-BARRE — As part of its next step toward modernizing its operations and meeting customer experience for more seamless travel, the Pennsylvania Turnpike has started removing toll plazas along its system. Starting with the Pocono Interchange (Exit 95) on the Northeast Extension (Interstate 476), contractors have completely removed the tollbooths and canopy from the interchange. Toll plazas are being demolished where Open Road Tolling (ORT) has launched, east of Reading and on the Northeast Extension. Each interchange will be reconstructed to provide an unobstructed traffic flow. While each demolition will be unique to its physical location, timing and traffic, the entire process will prioritize customer safety. As contractors continue their demolition work, drivers should be prepared for new temporary traffic patterns and should pay attention to crews in work zones. "The PA Turnpike has been a leader in transportation from the day we opened in 1940 as 'America's First Superhighway' and while traditional tollbooths made practical sense then, we now have more advanced and efficient systems that better serve today's 21st century customers," said PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. "The switch to ORT modernizes the Pennsylvania Turnpike for today. We look forward to providing customers with a safer and more convenient travel experience on the PA Turnpike and better serving the communities we touch along the way." In an ORT system, Compton said tolls are charged electronically as customers drive at highway speeds without slowing down or stopping beneath overhead structures — called gantries — located between interchanges. Equipment on the gantry and in the roadway processes E-ZPass or Toll By Plate transactions. Compton said ORT reduces confusion and lane switching associated with traditional, stop-and-go tolling. The switch to ORT in the east occurred in January. ORT will launch on the mainline PA Turnpike's western section in 2027 and tollbooths on the mainline will be fully removed across the system by the end of 2028. The PA Turnpike switched to All Electronic Tolling (AET) in March 2020, completing a process that began with the launch of E-ZPass in 2000. With electronic tolling equipment moving from the interchange to over the highway, traditional toll plazas will now be removed. Tollbooth removal eliminates obstacles, increases sight lines and reduces stress and distractions for customers entering and exiting the system. ORT will lead to $25 million yearly savings in interchange maintenance and operations costs and $50 million in yearly operational savings versus traditional collection methods. Beyond safety benefits, Compton said ORT also is better for the environment. Existing all-electronic systems have already led to reductions of up to 45% of CO2 emissions on the PA Turnpike, and an additional 7% of emissions reductions will be realized upon full ORT implementation. Toll plaza removal will also reduce the PA Turnpike's footprint by 150 acres. During demolitions, Pennsylvania State Police and PA Turnpike personnel will be positioned at impacted areas to assist drivers. Changeable message signs will also provide information on the traffic patterns. Motorists are encouraged to plan travel accordingly. Work schedules are subject to change based on weather conditions. Removal of tollbooths and the reconstruction of interchanges will continue East of Reading and on the Northeast Extension through 2026. Featured Local Savings Featured Local Savings Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
PA Turnpike removing tollbooths at interchanges as part of new tolling system
The Pennsylvania Turnpike has begun removing toll plazas east of Reading and on the Northeast Extension as part of its open-road tolling system. Officials said the project started with the Pocono interchange (Exit 95) on the Northeast Extension (Interstate 476), with contractors removing the tollbooths and canopy from the interchange. Officials said the Valley Forge interchange in Montgomery County is scheduled to be removed this summer. Tollbooths at the Morgantown interchange in Berks County and at the Downingtown interchange in Chester County are scheduled to be removed in 2026. Each interchange will be reconstructed to provide unobstructed traffic flow, officials said. 'The PA Turnpike has been a leader in transportation from the day we opened in 1940 as 'America's First Superhighway' and while traditional tollbooths made practical sense then, we now have more advanced and efficient systems that better serve today's 21st century customers,' Mark Compton, turnpike CEO, said in an announcement of the work. 'The switch to ORT (open-road tolling) modernizes the Pennsylvania Turnpike for today. We look forward to providing customers with a safer and more convenient travel experience on the PA Turnpike and better serving the communities we touch along the way.' In the open-road system, tolls are charged electronically as travelers drive at highway speeds without slowing down or stopping. Toll plazas have been replaced by overhead structures — called gantries — located between interchanges on the highway. As drivers pass beneath the structures, equipment on the gantry and in the road processes E-ZPass or Toll By Plate transactions, they said. This system reduces confusion and lane switching associated with traditional, stop-and-go tolling, they said. The switch to open-road tolling in the east occurred in January. The system will launch on the mainline western section in 2027, and tollbooths on the mainline will be fully removed across the turnpike by the end of 2028. Officials said open-road tolling will result in a $25 million yearly savings in interchange maintenance and operations costs and $50 million in yearly operational savings versus traditional collection methods. They said the existing all-electronic systems have already led to reductions of up to 45% of CO2 emissions on the turnpike and that an additional 7% of emissions reductions will be realized when the system is in full operation. Toll plaza removal also reduces the turnpike's footprint by 150 acres, they said. During demolitions, state police and turnpike personnel will be positioned to assist drivers.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
PA Turnpike tollbooths removed at interchanges
(WBRE/WYOU) — Multiple tollbooths have been removed from the Pennsylvania Turnpike in areas where Open Road Tolling (ORT) has begun. The PA Turnpike has started removing toll plazas along the turnpike, starting with the Pocono Interchange (Exit 95) and on the Northeast Extension (Interstate 476), with plans to remove all tollbooths by 2028. The two tollbooths have been removed where the ORT system has launched. The ORT system will have gantries above the turnpike that allow for unobstructed traffic flow. You will be able to drive highway speeds through the ORT gantries. Death investigation underway in Williamsport 'The PA Turnpike has been a leader in transportation from the day we opened in 1940 as 'America's First Superhighway' and while traditional tollbooths made practical sense then, we now have more advanced and efficient systems that better serve today's 21st century customers… The switch to ORT modernizes the Pennsylvania Turnpike for today. We look forward to providing customers with a safer and more convenient travel experience on the PA Turnpike and better serving the communities we touch along the way.' PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton The ORT gantries charge the driver by E-ZPass or by Toll By Plate. The switch to ORT in the east of the state occurred in January and will launch in the turnpike's west section in 2027. The PA Turnpike Commission says the tollbooths on the mainline will be fully removed across the turnpike by the end of 2028. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania Turnpike exit temporarily closing: Here's where
(WHTM) – The Pennsylvania Turnpike is warning drivers that an exit will be temporarily closed for a demolition project. The Turnpike says the Pocono Interchange (Exit 95) on the Northeast Extension will be closed in both directions from 12-5 a.m. on Sunday, June 8. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The closure will allow crews to remove the overhead toll gantry as part of the toll booth demolition and Open Road Tolling. Drivers looking to exit in the area should take the Wilkes-Barre (Exit 105) or Route 903 (Exit 87) interchanges. Why aren't there any ships on the Susquehanna River? Open Road Tolling will be implemented on turnpike interchanges east of Reading and on the Northeast Extension by the end of 2026. Open Road Tolling allows drivers to use their E-Z Pass or Toll By Plate without stopping or slowing down. The statewide launch of Open Road Tolling is scheduled for January 2027. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Yahoo
PA Turnpike warning of new smishing text scam
(WJET/WFXP)– Pennsylvania Turnpike officials are warning travelers of a new format for scam texts sent to travelers about unpaid tolls and are warning not to tap the link provided. Anyone who receives an unsolicited text, email, or similar message that seems like it may be from the Turnpike or another toll/collection agency should not click on the link. Pa. Turnpike officials warn E-ZPass users of scam Turnpike officials said different versions of this smishing scam have been popping up since April across the country through texts and email, even impersonating a collection agency claiming to be authorized by the PA Turnpike's behalf at one point. Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission warns of smishing scam for outstanding toll amounts E-ZPass account holders and Toll By Plate customers can still pay their tolls safely by calling 1-877-736-6727 or using the PA Turnpike E-ZPass website or their app. Anyone who receives a scam text can report them to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center online here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
