New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday that the final steel gantries of the New York Thruway’s cashless tolling system have been installed.
The gantry, located on I-90 at exit 42, is the last of 55 gantries along the $355 million project. Officials said this part of the project is on time and on budget.
“This project is transforming New York’s transportation system by improving driving experiences, expediting traffic flow, and improving air quality in areas surrounding toll plazas,” Governor Cuomo said. “With upgrades like this, we are ushering in a new modern era for traveling across this state, which will benefit motorists for decades to come.”
Transportation crews will now install cashless tolling equipment on the gantries, which will use state-of-the-art sensors and cameras to read E-ZPass tags and take license plate images. More than 2,000 cameras will be installed by the time the project is complete.
Thruway Authority Executive Director Matthew J. Driscoll said, “The Thruway Authority is making incredible progress with the historic conversion to cashless tolling on the ticketed system which will benefit millions of motorists who travel the Thruway every year. As the project continues, we’re on schedule for the system to go live by the end of 2020, ushering in a new era of transportation on the Thruway.”
The cashless tolling system will replace the current ticketed system and toll booths. Motorists will drive seamlessly under the gantries without having to stop to pay a toll. Cars and trucks with E-ZPass tags will be automatically charged, and vehicles without E-ZPass tags will have their license plate image captured, and a toll bill mailed to the registered owner of the car or truck.