No more booths: Turnpike set to expand Open Road Tolling in coming years

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission gave more details this week about its timeline for ditching toll booths in favor of Open Road Tolling (ORT).

All toll roads east of Reading and on the Northeast Extension will be converted to ORT, a system that electronically charges motorists at highway speeds, in January 2025. Crews will begin removing toll booths in that section of the state shortly after.

Widespread ORT construction west of Reading is getting underway, with an expected launch in early 2027. Motorists can track future gantry sites and construction progress using an online map provided by the Turnpike.

Already, the cashless, free-flowing system is in place in four areas, including two interchanges in Western Pennsylvania. The Gateway plaza in Lawrence county near the Ohio border went boothless in 2019, followed by the Warrendale toll plaza in Cranberry Township in 2022. Crash rates at these interchanges are down 76% and 71%, respectively, according to Turnpike spokesperson Marissa Orbanek.

ORT uses scanning technology attached to overhead structures between interchanges. These readers can process existing Toll-By-Plate and E-ZPass payment methods.

In addition to preventing crashes, Turnpike officials tout the end of traditional tolling as a way to lower emissions and reduce stress levels for drivers.

“Open Road Tolling is the most significant innovation for our customers, our employees, our roadway and the Commonwealth in our 85-year history,” Turnpike CEO Mark Compton said. “It represents the future of toll collection nationwide, increases access and mobility across the Commonwealth, promotes safety and reliability and better supports our environment.”

Planning, design, construction and demolition associated with ORT implementation will cost just over $600 million. Turnpike officials expect more than $25 million in annual savings. They’re also taking this opportunity to standardize per-mile rates across the 564-mile network.

Earlier this month, Turnpike commissioners approved a 5% toll hike to fund ongoing debt repayment. The new toll schedule, including the consistent per-mile rate, goes into effect Jan. 5, 2025.