For Immediate Release: 11/16//21
Contact: Office of Media Relations and Communications | (518) 471-5300 | public.info@thruway.ny.gov
THRUWAY AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION OF CASHLESS TOLLING PROJECT ON FORMER TICKETED SYSTEM AHEAD OF SCHEDULE
230 Individual Toll Booths Removed; 52 Former Toll Plaza Locations Reconstructed and Realigned
More Than 200 Million Motorists Who Travel the Thruway Each Year Now Enjoy Benefits of True Highway Speed, Open-Road Tolling
Project Substantially Completed Weeks Ahead of Schedule and On Budget
Before and After Photos of Thruway Interchanges Available Here; Additional Information, Maps and Data on the Project Available Here
The New York State Thruway Authority today announced the substantial completion of the Authority’s Cashless Tolling Design-Build Project weeks ahead of schedule. The milestone marks the final phase in the conversion to cashless tolling on the entire 570-mile Thruway system. The final phase of the project featured removal of 230 individual toll booths and reconstruction and realignment of 52 former toll plaza locations on the Thruway’s former ticketed system.
Thruway Authority Executive Director Matthew J. Driscoll said, “Years of hard work and dedication by hundreds of Thruway Authority employees and trades women and men across New York have led to this substantial accomplishment. This unprecedented feat was completed within budget and ahead of schedule to limit disruptions to the traveling public. Cashless tolling is one of many strategic capital investments the Authority is making to modernize the state’s transportation infrastructure and deliver a safe, reliable roadway that will thrive for generations to come.”
Cashless tolling on the Thruway’s ticketed system went live in November 2020 and was immediately followed by toll booth removal and interchange reconstruction. The Thruway’s transition to system-wide cashless tolling began in 2016 on the then Tappan Zee Bridge, now Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, followed by the remaining fixed-price barriers in 2018.
During the peak activity of the project, a workforce of more than 800 workers from across the state performed work along the I-87 and I-90 corridors, spanning 18 counties.
As part of the system, there are more than 2,000 state-of-the-art cameras and sensors affixed to the gantries. Since November 2020, more than 250 million transactions have been successfully recorded at all Thruway cashless tolling locations. Motorists now drive seamlessly under gantries with state-of-the-art sensors and cameras that read E-ZPass tags and take license plate images, so vehicles no longer must stop to pay tolls.
In addition, the project also included the installation of 81 Variable Message Signs (VMS) which provide important messaging to motorists including severe weather conditions or traffic information.
Some minor ancillary work may continue at various interchanges.
Before and after photos of all former toll plazas can be found in the project gallery at thruway.ny.gov/cashless. The project also includes information on the entire project and a special webpage highlighting the History of Toll Collection on the New York Thruway.
Cashless tolling is now live on most of New York’s toll roads, including all Thruway, MTA, and Port Authority locations, and soon to be at Bridge Authority crossings. Motorists are strongly encouraged to sign up for E-ZPass, which is the most convenient way to pay tolls on New York’s toll roads, bridges, and tunnels. In addition, NY E-ZPass account holders pay 30 percent less than the Tolls By Mail toll rate and avoid any administrative surcharges while traveling on the Thruway.
E-ZPass tags are sold at more than 900 locations across the state including Thruway Service Areas, local grocery and convenience stores, municipal locations, New York State DMVs, online at e-zpassny.com, and more. To find a retailer near you, go to thruway.ny.gov/getezpass.
To further enhance the cashless tolling experience, motorists are encouraged to download the Tolls NY mobile app which allows drivers to manage and update their E-ZPass account, pay toll bills quickly and easily, and receive important account alerts.
For additional information on how cashless tolling works and tips on how to pay bills on time, visit the Thruway Authority's website at thruway.ny.gov.
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