Toll Plaza Signs: E-ZPass Replaces Fast Lane

MassDOT next week begins a change of all signage at toll plazas on the Turnpike, Tobin Bridge and Airport Tunnels to improve safety and meet federal highway guidelines. Drivers will see E-ZPass signs go up and ‘Fast Lane’ signs come down.

“Driver hesitation and confusion can jeopardize safety at our toll plazas,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey. “We want the general public and our 1.7 million transponder holders to know that E-ZPass and Fast Lane are now one in the same.”

Purple and white E-ZPass signs will be familiar to many drivers- the brand exists on toll roads in more than a dozen states, including Maine, New Hampshire, and New York. There are more than 22 million E-ZPass holders in the country.

“Fast Lane customers will be driving through the electronic collection lanes just like before, but with new E-ZPass signs overhead,” said Highway Administrator Frank DePaola. “No action is necessary by our customers. Their transponders will still work and their contact and financial information will remain the same.”

The $1.2 million project is funded primarily through a federal safety grant along with $185,000 from the Western Turnpike Capital fund. The project is expected to continue through the summer months with work performed during overnight off-peak hours, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., to reduce the impact on the motoring public.

Travelers will first notice ‘COMING SOON: We are Changing Our Name’ signs along the Turnpike during the week of May 7th and Interchange 11 (Route 122, Millbury/Worcester) will be the first plaza to completely transition to E-ZPass signs.

Comments

[Rob]

What a waste of money; The impetus is that the feds are requiring the removal of the Citizens Bank advertising. Could have just pasted EZ-Pass stickers over the fastlane signs, saving $1,000,000. Why not remove the toll booths, and then we won't need to waste money on new signs, and the pike will be eligible for federal matching funds. Oh, and the pike loses the advertising $$$ from Citizens.

[Dave Dodge]

How about standardizing the location of the E-ZPass booth locations. Sometimes they're on the left, sometimes on the right, sometimes in the middle. I find that people switching lanes trying to find the right booth is extremely dangerous.

Also, how about a special light for each E-ZPass lane like flashing green for E-Z-Pass and solid green for cash lanes. Or even a "purple light" for E-ZPass.

Something clearly has to be done to identify the lanes, this is also a problem in other states so it is not just the name.

[Algot Runeman]

I rode and rode with light and heavy load. And now in Mass they've understood. The lane was fast, saving gas, but now its name is E-ZPass®

[Chris]

1.2 million to change signs. Wow. What company could afford this?

[Charles Neill]

Installing "real" Express lanes with no old toll-booth to pass through would be a real benefit for having a transponder.

[Chris]

Why not spend the money making all lanes EZ-Pass at toll booths like most states (e.g. Maine, New Hampshire).This would improve safety greatly instead of drivers having to make dangerous manovures. This is a wasted opportunity!