Click here to subscribe today or Login.
WILKES-BARRE — The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is reminding motorists the Clarks Summit (No. 130) and Keyser Avenue (No. 121) interchanges on the Northeastern Extension (I-476) in Lackawanna County will be converted to a cashless tolling system this weekend as part of a pilot program.
Cashless tolling allows customers at those interchanges to pay without stopping at toll plazas. All tolls are assessed electronically as vehicles travel at posted speed limits through the toll plazas, which will remain in place for now, but will not be staffed.
E-ZPass customers will have their toll deducted from their pre-paid account as usual. Customers without E-ZPass will receive a Toll-by-Plate invoice from the Turnpike.
“Tolling agencies across the country are introducing cashless systems and we owe it to customers to continue to use the best technology available in every facet of our operations,” said Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “At the same time, our system is somewhat unique, and we want to be sure that the technology makes sense for our customers and operations.”
Compton noted the Turnpike is committed to a series of cashless pilot projects. The approach ensures the system will be tested under different circumstances.
Clarks Summit and Keyser Avenue are the commission’s third wave of pilot locations. In January 2016, the Turnpike opened a cashless tolling point near the Turnpike Bridge over the Delaware River at the eastern end of its system and last year at the Beaver Valley Expressway (I-376).
The Turnpike has also assured employees there will be no layoffs associated with these projects.
For more, including a video about how cashless tolling works: www.nocashzone.com.