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PORTLAND — The Maine Turnpike Authority today announced that its modern, highway-speed E-ZPass lanes at West Gardiner Toll Plaza opened Nov. 21.
The electronic toll collection system used in these lanes is called Open Road Tolling. When the West Gardner ORT lanes are officially opened to traffic, they will join the Turnpike’s New Gloucester Toll Plaza in allowing motorists with E-ZPass transponders to pay tolls automatically while driving through at 70 mph.
“The new open road tolling installation at West Gardiner is the newest in a series of exciting Maine Turnpike improvements coming to completion this autumn,” said Maine Turnpike Executive Director Peter Mills. “ORT plazas not only improve the efficiency and safety for motorists who no longer need to slow down to pass through a traditional toll booth, but also it reduces fuel consumption and emissions from vehicles whose engines are idling while in line to pay at the toll booth.”
In addition, ORT plazas makes traveling and transporting goods more convenient and cost effective for the approximately 80 percent of the Turnpike’s commercial customers who rely on E-ZPass to manage their toll expenses. The $6-million toll plaza improvement construction contract was awarded to Wyman & Simpson of Richmond. Due to traffic volumes, the plaza will have one ORT highway speed lane in each direction and three mixed-toll lanes accepting cash and E-ZPass payments on both the northbound and southbound sides of the Turnpike.
“Even for motorists who are unfamiliar with open road tolling, using the system could not be easier,” Mills continued. “Drivers whose vehicles are equipped with the E-ZPass device simply drive on through at the Turnpike’s regular speed limit.”
If cash toll customers mistakenly enter the “E-ZPass Only” lane, drivers should continue traveling at highway speed through the toll plaza area. For the safety of all travelers, the Maine Turnpike Authority stresses the following instructions:
· Do not stop
· Do not back up
· Do not pull over in or after the toll plaza
· Do not attempt to get out of the vehicle and cross the barrier to seek assistance from a toll collector.
Cash customers who mistakenly use the “E-ZPass Only” lane are still responsible for paying the toll and can get information about how to do so at MaineTurnpike.com or by calling 1-888-MTA-PASS (682-7277), by visiting the Maine Turnpike headquarters off of Exit 46 (Jetport), or by mailing the toll payment. Details on mailing toll payments can be found at MaineTurnpike.com.
To take advantage of the safety, convenience and cost savings of modern, highway speed tolling, drivers can sign up for E-ZPass by calling 1-888-MTA-PASS or by visiting ezpassmaineturnpike.com.
