And now, a guest post:
Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge
Authority is pleased to announce that open road tolling is just days away. We
want to inform you about the changes to the Newport Pell Bridge plaza so you can
be ready to be in the correct lane.
The new left lanes are for the exclusive use of
vehicles with E-ZPass transponders only. The gates have been removed so you can
drive through without stopping. You can still use the gated lanes if you prefer
because E-ZPass will be accepted in all lanes.
The new open road
tolling lanes will open at the end of
June. New road signs will appear shortly to help drivers navigate to
their correct lanes. Because of the many changes to the plaza, please use
caution when travelling through the plaza in the next few weeks as everyone
becomes accustomed to the new configuration.
If you are travelling
westbound and wish to use the Jamestown exit,
please use the far right lane, even if you have
an E-ZPass transponder. Lane dividers in the open road tolling
lanes will prevent drivers from crossing over lanes to get to the exit. If you
use a lane other than the far-right lane, you’ll have to continue on to a
further exit and then backtrack to your destination. By designating the lanes in
this manner, we’re improving toll plaza safety for everyone.
The speed
limit in the open road tolling lanes is 40 miles
per hour.
If your transponder isn’t mounted, now is the time to
correct that. Transponders that aren’t mounted correctly can’t be read – and
will trigger a violation notice. To avoid the hassle of contesting the unpaid
toll notice, please mount the
transponder. If you need an extra set of mounting strips, please let us
know and we’ll provide them free of
cost.
How does RITBA know if cars without E-ZPass transponders are in
the open road tolling lanes? Cameras are positioned on the gantry and take
photographs of license plates. When vehicles pass through without paying tolls,
the owner of the vehicle’s registration will receive a notice in the mail to pay
the fine as well as the toll.
Like you, we’re so happy that the
construction period in the plaza is over and that the toll collection process
will be more convenient and faster for
E-ZPass customers.
If you have questions, please call us at
877-743-9727. Additional information is available at ritba.org.
David Darlington,
Chairman, Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority
