URGENT UPDATE: Major changes are underway on the Pennsylvania Turnpike as officials confirm the installation of a new open-road tolling system, significantly impacting drivers traveling west of Berks County. The new equipment has been successfully installed at milepost 276.2 between the Reading and Lebanon-Lancaster interchanges, with additional installations at milepost 250.3.
This development is part of a larger initiative to modernize toll collection on the turnpike, with full implementation scheduled for 2027. Turnpike CEO Mark Compton expressed enthusiasm about the transition, stating, “We are excited to continue our preparations for 2027’s systemwide launch of open-road tolling.”
The open-road tolling system allows drivers to maintain highway speeds without stopping, eliminating traditional toll booths. Instead, overhead structures known as gantries will process tolls electronically as vehicles pass beneath them. This shift aims to reduce confusion and improve safety by removing obstacles that can cause accidents and delays.
As part of this modernization effort, toll booths will be dismantled, enhancing sight lines for drivers and decreasing stress when entering or exiting the highway. Demolition of the Morgantown toll plaza has already started and is expected to wrap up by 2026.
Drivers are urged to ensure their E-ZPass transponders are properly mounted and accounts are up to date, as these devices will be read more frequently at highway speeds. Failure to do so may result in higher toll-by-plate charges.
The financial implications of this new system are significant. Officials anticipate a savings of $25 million annually in interchange maintenance and operations, alongside $50 million in yearly operational savings compared to traditional collection methods.
As installation continues westward to the Ohio border over the next year, motorists should prepare for the changes ahead. The switch to open-road tolling started earlier this year east of Reading and on the Northeast Extension, marking a pivotal shift in how tolling is managed in Pennsylvania.
Stay tuned for further updates as the Pennsylvania Turnpike evolves to enhance efficiency and safety for all drivers. Share this news to keep your community informed about the upcoming tolling changes.
