History of the NYS Thruway

1946 - GROUND BREAKING

Ground is broken at Liverpool by Governor Dewey for the first section of the Thruway. Over the next few years, several segments opened to traffic on a toll-free basis.

JOINING THE TEAM

In May 1953, a Civil Service exam was held to establish a list of candidates for positions as Thruway toll collectors. One hundred and forty toll collectors, including four women, were hired and reported for a two-week training course in Syracuse in June 1954.

After the training course, the toll collectors and supervisors were assigned to the toll stations between Lowell and Rochester, the first portion of the Thruway that was to open.

The recruitment, training and selection process continued for approximately 30 toll collectors for the opening on August 26 of the Rochester-Buffalo section, and again prior to October 26 for approximately 180 toll collectors for assignment to the Newburgh-Utica section.

Male toll collectors wore blue uniforms and numbered badges, with caps, short jackets and trousers. Women wore caps, blouse-style jackets and skirts, and numbered badges.

1954 - THE GRAND OPENING

On June 24, 1954, the first toll section of the Thruway opened, a 115-mile stretch of I-90 between Rochester and Lowell.

During the ceremonies that morning, Governor Thomas E. Dewey attended ribbon cuttings and celebrations along the route to Rochester at Exit 46.

At 13 toll booths along the route, cars were lined up for hours to be the first on the Thruway.
At 10 p.m. that night, in the Powers hotel in Rochester, Governor Dewey pushed a button and buzzers sounded at every toll booth between West Henrietta and Lowell. Every toll collector heard the Governor’s voice via Thruway communications, as he proclaimed the road open to traffic. Minutes later, the first Thruway tolls were collected.

Toll supervisor Jim Murphy was given the first toll by a motorist at 10:01pm.

1955

During its first year of operation, there were a total of 8,700,000 trips made by motorists with mileage totaling 522,000,000.

Toll collection staff continued to increase yearly to accommodate the heavy traffic and newly opened sections of the Thruway. 

VITAL ROLES

The first toll collector was hired in December 1951 for the Grand Island Bridge toll booth. From 1951-2020, more than 12,000 men and women served with the Thruway Authority.

Along with cash collection, toll collectors were recognized for other vital roles on the job.

Motorists inquired about directions, weather conditions or traffic incidents, all of which the toll collectors stayed informed about to pass along information to travelers.

During the 66 years of toll collection, toll collectors also assisted New York State Police Troop T in reporting suspicious vehicles, identifying wanted individuals or vehicles, reporting disabled vehicles, and contacting emergency services.

TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE 

In December 1951, the Authority identifies a crossing site between South Nyack and Tarrytown, prompting public protest amid concern the bridge would negatively impact the riverfront communities.

In 1952, although delayed due to steel shortages during the Korean War, construction begins on the new bridge. 

THE GRAND OPENING

On December 15, 1955, Governor Averell Harriman is joined by legendary actress and Rockland County resident Helen Hayes and the mayors of Nyack, South Nyack, Suffern, and Tarrytown for the opening of the Tappan Zee Bridge. The bridge carries Interstate 87/287 across the river, virtually completing the Buffalo-to-Bronx mainline. At 3.1 miles long, the Tappan Zee is the longest bridge in New York. The toll to travel over the Tappan Zee Bridge in 1955 was 50 cents.

1957-1958

On December 14, 1957, the final 29-mile link in the Erie Section was opened to traffic, extending from the Silver Creek Interchange to join the Thruway’s Mainline in Buffalo. This established an unbroken Thruway route of 496 miles from New York City to the Pennsylvania state line and made the Thruway the longest toll highway in the world. Total Thruway mileage in operation was increased to 506 miles.

Automatic toll collection equipment, or exact change coin drops, were installed at the Yonkers toll barrier in 1957, and in 1958 were installed at the New Rochelle toll barrier and additional locations in the Buffalo area. Instead of a toll collector, a machine with a hopper was located at the toll booth. Motorists with exact change of the toll deposited the coins hopper and then proceeded through when the light turned green. Exact change coin drops were eventually added to the additional fixed toll barriers on the Thruway.

TRAVELING THE THRUWAY

During the 1960s, travel on the Thruway set records, with millions of motorists now utilizing the new superhighway. 

1964

On September 1, 1964, a legislative act took effect naming the Thruway “The Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway,” paying tribute to the former Governor’s leadership in creating the superhighway. Signs welcoming motorists to the Dewey Thruway were erected at eight major entrances to the Thruway.

1965

In 1965, the uniforms worn by toll collectors were updated. Women toll collectors were issued a completely redesigned uniform, and men’s jackets were replaced by a coat. Neckties, belts and tie claps were also issued to men.

In 1968, women toll collectors were approved to wear uniform slacks. 

At the start of the new decade, vehicles driving the Thruway exceeded four billion miles for the first time. Vehicles traveled 4,028,455,119 miles in 1970. Traffic continued to set records in the following years.

To relieve congestion at the Tappan Zee Bridge, the Thruway Authority removed the westbound tollbooths in 1970 and began collecting round-trip tolls in the eastbound direction. The toll on the Tappan Zee Bridge was 50 cents each way, and was changed to one dollar eastbound only.

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Women's Uniforms

New women's uniforms.

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1974

Spring Valley toll barrier installs exact change coin drops at the toll booths. 

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1984

In 1984, miles traveled on the Thruway surpassed the landmark of 100 billion.

Four additional toll lanes were constructed at the New Rochelle Toll Barrier, the busiest on the system, to provide better service for motorists during peak travel times.

1989

Automated toll ticket machines were installed at seven locations on the Thruway. Cars with nothing in tow can use the machines to receive a toll ticket, instead of receiving one from a toll collector.

Toll collection staff increased from 1,169 in 1980 to 1,457 in 1990.

1991

Thruway Authority assumed operation of the 11-mile Cross Westchester Expressway (I-287), expanding Thruway system to 570 miles.

Toll collection staff increased from 1,457 in 1990 to 1,614 in 2000. 

NEW TECHNOLOGY

In 1993, the Thruway Authority began implementing new technology at the toll plazas, with the introduction of E-ZPass. E-ZPass was first installed at the fixed toll barriers in the Hudson Valley and the Tappan Zee Bridge, the Grand Island Bridges and by 1997 was fully operationally on the entire Thruway system.

For the first time in the history of the Thruway, the toll ticket was updated to be printed on-demand and customized for the vehicle to which it is issued.

1997

In 1997, tolls for passenger cars were eliminated at the Spring Valley toll plaza. 

NEW ERA

The 2000s began with a new era of technology for travelers on the Thruway, with dedicated E-ZPass lanes at Thruway toll plazas, the creation of the Thruway Authority’s website, and new methods to receive traffic information such as the Thruway Highway Advisory Radio and TRANSalerts, and conveniences such as free Wi-Fi at the 27 service areas. Closed Circuit Television System (CCTV) images were also made available for real-time traffic reporting programs.

From 2001-2003, the exact change coin drops located at the fixed toll barriers were all removed and converted to E-ZPass lanes.

In 2010, 1,430 toll collectors were on staff.

2009

After years of study, a replacement is determined to be more cost-effective than maintaining and repairing the Tappan Zee Bridge. 

2011

A new twin-span crossing is chosen to replace the Tappan Zee Bridge. Construction begins on the new structure in 2013. 

2016

Cashless tolling is implemented on the Tappan Zee Bridge eliminating toll booths and cash toll collection at the crossing.

2017

In August 2017, the first span of the new bridge opens to traffic. Soon thereafter, the 61-year-old Tappan Zee Bridge is retired, and dismantling operations begin. 

2018

In September 2018, the newly minted Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge is dedicated as the second span opens to traffic. 

MOVING FORWARD

The 2018 State of the State address announced that cashless tolling would be implemented on the Thruway system-wide by the end of 2020. In March, cashless tolling is operational at the Grand Island Bridges in Western New York, ending cash collection at toll booths.

2019

Through a competitive bidding process, the Thruway Authority selects Cashless Tolling Constructors, LLC to complete the installation of cashless tolling on the Thruway by the end of 2020. 

2020

In November 2020, cash toll collection ends, with the implementation of cashless tolling system-wide. Fifty-nine gantries are located over the main highway, at entrance/exit ramps and fixed toll barriers.

On June 15, the 3.6-mile path on the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge opens to bicyclists and pedestrians. The shared use path is one of the longest of its kind in the nation. 

THE FUTURE

Since the implementation of cashless tolling in 2020, more than 1.3 billion transactions have been successfully processed on the Thruway.

In 2023, motorists took more than 396.9 million trips and drove 8.1 billion miles on the Thruway.

Today and in the future, the Thruway Authority continues to modernize the transportation system by investing in infrastructure projects, expanding Electric Vehicle Chargers to create a robust, end-to-end corridor of fast charging locations system-wide, upgrading the 27 service areas on the system, utilizing innovative technologies, and enhancing safety. 

Service Area Reconstruction

In 2025 The New York State Thruway Authority redeveloped all 27 service areas as part of a $450 million private investment plan with Empire State Thruway Partners. The service area restaurant buildings were rebuilt and upgraded to include Taste NY markets, modern restaurant concepts, outdoor seating, food trucks, playgrounds, and pet walking areas, among other things.

History of Service Areas

The reconstruction and redevelopment of the Thruway’s 27 service areas marked a significant milestone for the Thruway Authority and for the millions of customers that rely on these amenities each year. The original construction of these facilities began in the mid-1950s and opened to the traveling public by the turn of the decade. When opened, concessionaires offered a variety of services including cafeteria style food, coffee shops, and snack bars.

When developed, the plazas were built an average of 40 miles apart based on driving times and convenience for public access. 

In the early 1980s, Howard Johnson’s became the Authority’s service area operator. Marriott Travel Plazas (now HMS Host) acquired Howard Johnson’s in 1985 and the 26 service areas it operated on the Thruway. HMS Host would operate 12 and Delaware North Companies would operate 4 service areas through July 2021.

By the end of the 80s, the original travel plazas, built between 1954 and 1956, were determined to be obsolete and unsuitable to attract name brand food concept vendors. New designs for each plaza were presented for Authority approval. The concept was to provide Adirondack-style structures of 11,000 sq. ft. or 15,000 sq. ft.  All were replaced or remodeled between 1990-1994, the last significant redevelopment until 2018.

• 1954 – Construction begins on eight travel plazas (Ramapo, Guilderland, Pattersonville, Schuyler, Chittenango, Junius Ponds, Clifton Springs, Ontario)
• 1955 – First travel plazas open on New York State Thruway, offering a variety of services including cafeteria style food, coffee shops, and snack bars. Original concessionaires included Buddies Food Service, Ohio Hot Shoppes, The Chefs, Interstate United, and Riese Enterprise, among others.
• 1959 – Angola travel plaza, accessible to eastbound and westbound traffic, completed and open to travelers. All 27 travel plazas open to travelers.

History of Service Areas:

• 1985 - Marriott Travel Plazas (now HMS Host) acquired Howard Johnson’s and the 26 travel plazas it operated on the Thruway.  This occurred prior to the expiration of Howard Johnson’s contract, so Marriott secured a contract extension until 2005.
• 1986 - McDonald’s Corporation began operating the Angola Travel Plaza.  Prior to that, it was operated by Interstate United.
• 1988 - Marriott (HMS Host) studied the potential for increased sales at 24 of the 26 Travel Plazas it operated.  The study showed the potential for a 70% increase in revenue based on a public desire for name brand concepts and more modern facilities.1990 - An RFP was issued for the 10 former Marriott Travel Plazas and McDonald’s Corporation became the concessionaire for all of these locations.

• 1990 – 1994 – Reconstruction and remodeling takes place at all 27 travel plazas.

   

Future of Service Areas:

• 2018 - The 2018 State of the State address included a proposal to reimagine and redevelop all 27 New York State Thruway Service Areas through a public-private partnership. The Request for Proposal (RFP) for the design, construction, financing, operation, and maintenance of the Authority’s 27 Service Areas was issued on October 15, 2018.
• 2020 – On May 12, 2020, the Authority Board approved entering into an agreement with Empire and the NYS Attorney General and NYS Office of the State Comptroller approved the lease in January 2021.
• 2021-2025 - 23 of the 27 service area restaurant buildings were rebuilt, with significant renovations and upgrades to the remaining four.

View Today's Service Areas