The end is near for the toll booths and toll barriers that have long been a fixture on one of South Jersey’s most heavily trafficked highways.
Indeed, tolls will still be required for passage, but the method of payment will no longer allow for cash or change transactions.
Towards the end of this month, the South Jersey Transportation Authority officials will be organizing a groundbreaking ceremony to mark their shift towards all-electronic tolling, which is commonly referred to as “AET,” on the Atlantic City Expressway.
The AET project is set to revolutionize the toll system by upgrading the Egg Harbor Toll Plaza, Pleasantville Toll Plaza, and all toll machines at all entrance/exit ramps with advanced electronic gantry systems. These cutting-edge overhead systems will be a game-changer for the entire toll industry.
The photo above shows an overhead toll gantry on the Atlantic City Expressway. It is a clear and accurate depiction of what such a structure looks like. The image was sourced from Google Maps and is a useful visual aid for anyone trying to understand the toll system on the expressway.
E-ZPass Continues to Lead the Way in Toll Collection
It’s been over two decades since E-ZPass made its debut on the Expressway, causing a significant decline in the number of people paying tolls with cash.
According to a report from The Press of Atlantic City in February 2022, approximately 2.7 million E-ZPass transactions were recorded on the Atlantic City Expressway, which accounted for over 87% of all tolls collected. During the busiest tourist season in July, this number remained relatively unchanged, as reported by NJ.com.
If you’re not a fan of E-ZPass or simply don’t have one, don’t worry. The Expressway’s AET system is anticipated to offer a pay-by-plate option. This means that if your vehicle doesn’t have an E-ZPass transponder, the system will take a snapshot of your license plate. You’ll then receive a toll bill in your mailbox.
The photo shows the Pleasantville Toll Plaza on the Atlantic City Expressway. It seems to be a well-maintained and busy plaza.
Improved safety
Improved safety for both drivers and toll collectors is one of the key advantages of all-electronic tolling. In recent years, toll plazas on the Expressway have witnessed numerous fatal crashes, which can be avoided with the implementation of this technology.
One of the most unforgettable incidents happened shortly after Christmas in 2021. It involved a devastating car crash that claimed the lives of three individuals, all of whom belonged to the same family. The accident occurred at the Egg Harbor Toll Plaza, where their car collided with a booth and immediately caught fire.
Three individuals lost their lives in a tragic accident, while a fourth person, a 12-year-old girl in the backseat, sustained injuries. The victims were identified as Reachthon Khiev, aged 31 and a resident of Manchester, NH, Reachsieh Khiev, aged 27 and also from Manchester, and Keotepie Khiev, aged 14 and from Atlantic City. Furthermore, a toll collector also sustained injuries in the incident.
According to 6ABC, Terry Brown from Mays Landing recounted the accident saying, “The sound and sight of the car being quickly engulfed in flames made my heart sink.”
Big transition
The Expressway toll increases that commenced in 2020 are now being utilized to facilitate the switch to an all-electronic tolling system.
According to estimates, it will take approximately 18 months to finish the project, and AET is expected to go live sometime around Memorial Day Weekend in 2025.
The much-awaited groundbreaking ceremony is all set to take place at the Egg Harbor Toll Plaza in Hamilton Township, on Monday, October 30th, at 11 AM. Excitement is building up as the event draws closer, and everyone is looking forward to witnessing the historic moment.
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