The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced that it will be updating its six interstate crossings "to accommodate cashless, all-electronic tolling in the future." Well, isn't it about time?
Funding of $175 million has been approved, with installation set to start by the end of 2012. Completion should take two years (let's hope they don't pull a Big Dig like Boston).
Ideally, making the electronic system cashless "would enhance regional mobility with non-stop toll operations and result in improved air quality by reducing emissions.
The upgraded toll collection system will also benefit customers by eliminating lane closings resulting from equipment problems, reduce billing problems resulting from faulty equipment, and improve signage to allow drivers to more easily find the correct lane."
Eliminating bills, coins, and the like from the equation will take time, so for the immediate future the new system will handle cash and E-ZPasses.
- By Phil Alex
Photo: PDP (by April Sommers) , Source: PortAuthority
