Latest news with #OpenRoadTolling
CBS News
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Pennsylvania Turnpike to introduce gantries at toll stations
Drivers on the Pennsylvania Turnpike have probably seen some changes on the side of the road recently, and those changes are just the first of many over the next few years. "I think a lot of folks are questioning, 'What the heck are you guys building?'" said Crispin Havener, assistant press secretary for the Pennsylvania Turnpike. "'What are these things that are over the turnpike now?'" Those things, resembling large stanchions that extend over the road from a small hut on the side of the road, are called gantries, and they will essentially become the replacement for the toll booths that have occupied the interchanges on and off the turnpike for the last eight-plus decades. "All the E-Z Pass equipment, all the Toll By Plate equipment will be moved over on these gantries, essentially allowing you to travel at highway speeds," said Havener. The addition of the gantries will take place over the next couple of years. This new technology allows the turnpike to operate on Open Road Tolling, which means no more toll booths or bottlenecks at lanes entering or exiting the highway. The toll booths on this side of the state are expected to be completely removed by the end of 2028, and the interchanges will be reconfigured for better traffic flow. "We're able to collect the tolls as you're travelling that highway speed, rather than through the traditional toll booth method we've had, for now almost 85 years," said Havener. "This would make it easier for traveling as you would normally. "We'll be able to track whether your E-Z Pass transponder or your Toll By Plate, if you don't have an E-Z Pass, and be able to collect our toll that way." Essentially, the equipment from the gantries will read the E-Z Pass transponder, or license plates for Toll By Plate drivers, and transmit that information to the adjacent hut. Then, through a new fiber network that's being built subsequently with the gantries, that information will be sent back to their operations hub in Harrisburg. This system was implemented earlier this year on the eastern side of the Commonwealth, outside Reading, and along the Northeast Extension. The goal is to fully launch the program in western Pennsylvania by January 2027. Havener said, so far, the results have gone as smoothly as expected. "This is kind of a two-decade-long journey that began with the original launch of E-Z Pass," he said. "Now, it has brought us to the modern day, where we are very excited to see how this goes in the west."
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
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
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania Turnpike starts removing toll plazas at Interchanges
(WHTM)– The Pennsylvania Turnpike announced it has started removing toll plazas as part of its next phase of open road tolling. The PA Turnpike says toll plazas are being demolished where Open Road Tolling (ORT) has launched. So far, open road tolling has been launched east of Reading in the Northeast Extension. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now According to Turnpike, the demolition of each individual toll booth will be unique to the location of said toll booths, and the process will be conducted in a manner that prioritizes the safety of drivers. Pennsylvania State Police and PA Turnpike personnel will be in the impacted areas during each demolition. The PA Turnpike says that the Pocono Interchange (Exit 95) on the Northeast Extension was the first toll booth to be completely removed. '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.' This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available 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.
