Latest news with #PATurnpike
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Toll booths on the way out along Pennsylvania Turnpike as new system moves in
Pennsylvania is on its way to removing all of the toll booths along the Turnpike. The toll road is moving toward what's known as an 'open-road tolling system.' That means instead of stopping at a toll booth, you'll continue at your normal speed, and equipment will read your E-ZPass or license plate. Officials say this will avoid some of the safety and traffic issues at toll booths. 'This will make it easier, traveling just as you would normally,' said Crispin Havener, PA Turnpike assistant press secretary. 'We're able to track your E-ZPass transponder or your toll-by-plate if you don't have an E-ZPass, and be able to collect our toll that way.' Officials say the system has already rolled out smoothly on the eastern half of the state. It's expected to be ready here in Western Pennsylvania by the beginning of 2027. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
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
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
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania Turnpike launches ‘Turnpike TV'
(WHTM)– The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission today launched its new video series, 'Turnpike TV.' According to the PA Turnpike, the new video series will provide Pennsylvania drivers with information about infrastructure projects and safety improvement efforts statewide. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The PA Turnpike said the new resource will cover environmental initiatives, infrastructure improvements, and other frequently asked questions. 'The Turnpike is a vital part of Pennsylvania's transportation network, and we know our customers and communities have questions about how we operate,' said PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. ''Turnpike TV' provides straightforward answers to help foster positive relationships with the communities we support.' Some of the new videos will feature topics like 'Being a Good Neighbor,' Right of Way, Noise Walls, capital plan, general construction, new access and expansion, bridges, and more, per the PA Turnpike. 'We recognize that infrastructure projects impact residents, businesses and travelers,' said PA Turnpike Chief Engineer Brad Heigel. 'Many of the decisions we make – about construction timelines, bridge repairs, or noise mitigation – are rooted in extensive planning and community feedback. 'Turnpike TV' allows us to share these insights in a way that's easy to understand.' Turnpike TV can be watched on the PA Turnpike website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
PA Turnpike officials expecting busy Easter weekend
Middletown, PA — (WJET/WFXP)– Easter weekend is nearly here and Pennsylvania Turnpike officials are ready for more than 2 million people to hit the road. Despite Easter falling later than usual this year, PA Turnpike officials are projecting roughly 2.18 million cars to use the Turnpike this weekend, a 1.5% increase from last year. In light of the expected increase in traffic, Turnpike officials said construction work will be suspended starting at 5 a.m. Thursday morning and will start again at 11 p.m. on Monday, April 21 in order to keep as many lanes open as possible. Officials are projecting Friday, April 18 to be the busiest travel day of the weekend, predicting roughly 610,000 travelers with similar numbers on Monday predicting 590,000 travelers. In light of all of the anticipated traffic, Turnpike officials said there will be increased police patrols throughout the weekend and are advising drivers to practice safe driving habits. Before hitting the road, travelers who know the route they're taking can calculate how much their tolls will be ahead of time using the . Officials are also reminding anyone who takes the Turnpike they will NEVER receive a text from them about unpaid tolls and those tolls can be paid directly on the PA Toll Pay app or on the E-ZPass website. Live road conditions including closing and slowdowns can be viewed 24/7 online on the 511PA website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
