The West Virginia Parkways Authority recently awarded $24.8 million for upgrades to the toll collection system on the West Virginia Turnpike.
The contract was awarded to TransCore, a technology company the authority has worked with since 1997.
The contract includes the installation of technology to expand E-ZPass and other forms of electronic payment, upgrades to the Turnpike customer service software to make it easier and more efficient for customers to apply for an E-ZPass, and the installation of license plate cameras in every toll booth to bill motorists who fail to pay their tolls.
The new technology will also allow tolls booths to accept payments from systems other than E-ZPass and would allow the authority to accept cashless toll payments at all toll booths in the future.
“This is probably the single biggest project Parkways has done in 20 years,” Jeff Miller, parkways authority executive director, said. “The ultimate goal is to enhance the overall patron experience both on the roadside and with the customer service center on the West Virginia Turnpike.”
It is expected to take 18 months for full implementation of the new system. It will be tested before going live.
E-ZPass uses a vehicle-mounted transponder to allow drivers to proceed through toll booths without stopping.