Latest news with #OpenRoadTolling
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.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Construction delays possible on Pennsylvania Turnpike
(WHTM) – Construction delays are possible across several stretches of the Pennsylvania Turnpike this month. The Turnpike says construction of Open Road Tolling gantries could result in slow-moving or slower traffic during overnight hours. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Thirty-minute stoppages are necessary for the protection of motorists and workers. The traffic paces are scheduled at the following dates and locations: March 20, 2025, 12 a.m. to 5 a.m.: Interstate 70/76 Eastbound at Milepost 99.6 (between Donegal and Somerset Interchanges) March 21, 2025, 12 a.m. to 5 a.m.: Interstate 70/76 Westbound at Milepost 99.6 (between Somerset and Donegal Interchanges) March 30, 2025, 12 a.m. to 5 a.m.: Interstate 76 in both directions at Milepost 5.4 (between Gateway and New Castle Interchanges) Turnpike speeds will also be restricted during these times by Pennsylvania State Police. Open Road Tolling will allow the Pennsylvania Turnpike to collect tolls without the need for toll booths. Overhead equipment will track E-ZPass devices or license plates for tolling. Open Road Tolling is scheduled to be completed for a January 2027 launch in western Pennsylvania. Other areas of the state have already implemented these structures. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
