No tags yet.
State officials are warning drivers who use the Massachusetts Turnpike to brace for major delays Monday after the state transitioned to all-electronic tolls Friday night. State officials asked people to try to use public transportation or adjust work schedules if possible. According to the Boston Globe, the possible slowing of traffic can be seen for the next three weeks.
“Think of it as it’s going to snow twice a day every day for 22 days, or during your morning and your afternoon commute,” said Thomas J. Tinlin, highway administrator for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The first phase of construction should be finished by Nov. 22.
Tinlin recommended that drivers monitor traffic conditions by checking media or smartphone apps that provide traffic updates at a news conference last Friday.
Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack told the Boston Herald that nearly 1.5 million transactions were recorded between 10 p.m. Friday, when all-electronic tolling took effect, and 8 a.m. yesterday. According to WCVB, state officials said approximately 76 percent of transactions were from E-ZPass transponders and 24 percent were from pay-by-plate.
Pollack said drivers will have to slow down to 15 miles per hour during the construction and demolition of tollbooths. Eventually cars will be able to maintain regular speeds once their tolls are collected. Pollack stressed that the highway system will improve once the toll plazas are gone.
Demolition crews started tearing down all toll booths along the 135-mile highway on Friday. Motorists from now on must pay Mass Pike tolls by having their license plate photographed and sent in the mail, or by having a prepaid E-ZPass account and a windshield transponder.