LUDLOW (WWLP) – You may have seen those overhead structures already in place along the Massachusetts Turnpike. Since they’re not in the same locations as the toll booths, the new tolling locations could charge different rates.
Stopping or slowing down at toll booths will soon be a thing of the past. Sixteen electronic tolling structures are now in place on the Mass Pike, and many drivers, including Shari Belanger of Westfield, are looking forward to the change.
“We have all of these spread out toll booths, and then everybody’s jockeying for a position to get to six lanes down to three, which seems like a better use of space,” she said.
MassDOT said they still have some work to do on the overhead structures for the new electronic tolling system. Crews are still working on installing electronic components.
Starting this fall when a car drives underneath one of the overhead structures, it will either read the E-ZPass transponder, or take a picture of the license plate, and send the owner a bill in the mail.
Once you receive a bill in the mail, you’ll have two options: pay online, or find a retail cash payment location.
Dwight Miller of Wisconsin said other states have found easier methods.
“It just seems like it would cause some complications and problems. In Illinois, they have the side lanes at each of the overhead automated plazas, where you can go and pay a cash toll if you don’t have a transponder,” he said.
MassDOT said drivers entering and leaving I-90 from certain locations will be charged a different rate. The pricing structure hasn’t yet been determined.
The new electronic tolling system is scheduled to go live this fall.
