Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is moving all of the state’s tolling booths to electronic only in response to concerns over the coronavirus.
In an executive order signed March 17, the governor ordered the Maryland Transporation Authority to initiate cashless tolling effective at 3 p.m. until further notice. The order also closed all E-ZPass Maryland Customer Service Centers.
“To assist Marylanders with these changes, the MDTA will provide video tolling at the cash rates at toll facilities where cash is normally accepted, and establish grace periods for E-ZPass® Discount Plan expirations and Notices of Toll Due,” the MDTA said in a statement.
According to the MDTA, toll collection will be automated at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway (I-95), Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95), Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895), Bay Bridge (US 50/301) and Nice/Middleton Bridge (US 301). The agency directed drivers to keep moving through toll plazas. For drivers needing to pay tolls using cash, videos of their car will be made, and the drivers will receive a Notice of Toll Due in the mail letting them know what the cash toll rate is.
All open toll lanes will accept E-ZPass, the agency said, and anyone in a rental vehicle can add that car to their E-ZPass account. More information about how the MDTA would extend E-ZPass expiration dates would be available at a later time, the agency said.
Additionally, the agency said it would be determining how long drivers would have to pay Notices of Toll Due and how long they had to pay the tolls without penalty at a future date.