This week, MassDOT will begin to change all toll plaza signage on the Massachusetts Turnpike, Tobin Bridge and the Airport Tunnels by removing the “Fast Lane” signs and replacing them with E-Z Pass brand name. The goal is to improve safety and to meet federal highway guidelines.
“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-Z Pass and Fast lane are now one in the same.”
The $1.2 million project has been funded primarily through a Federal Safety Grant. In addition, $185,000 has been contributed from the Western Turnpike Capital Fund. MassDOT says that the project will be completed over the summer with work primarily being done during the nighttime from 9pm until 5am in order to reduce the impact on the motoring public.
“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.”
Agents this might be an informative tip to tell your auto insureds about. The first notice of it will being coming in the form of another sign debuting this week, saying: “COMING SOON: We are Changing Our Name.” These signs will be placed all along the affected routes. Interchange 11 (Route 122, Millbury/Worcester) will be the first toll plaza to make the transition from Fast Lane to E-ZPass.
The E-ZPass Brand already exists on toll roads in more than a dozen states including Maine, New Hampshire, and New York. MassDOT says in total there are approximately 22 million E-ZPass holders nationwide.
