For Immediate Release: 11/14/2020 
Contact: Office of Media Relations and Communications | (518) 471-5300 | public.info@thruway.ny.gov 

STATEMENT: THRUWAY AUTHORITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MATTHEW J. DRISCOLL ON HISTORIC CONVERSION TO CASHLESS TOLLING ON THE THRUWAY

DATE: Saturday, November 14, 2020 

At 1 a.m. Saturday, the New York State Thruway successfully converted to an entirely cashless tolling system. This is a historic moment for transportation in New York State.

Motorists will now drive under American-made steel gantries with state-of the art sensors and cameras that read E-ZPass tags and capture license plate images, so vehicles no longer have to stop to pay the toll. 

In the coming months, drivers will continue to travel through existing toll lanes at reduced speeds without stopping until the toll booths are removed and road reconfigurations are complete. Drivers are strongly urged to slow down and use caution around the toll plazas during this time, as it will be an active construction zone. In 2021, after all of the toll plazas are removed, drivers will have a completely unobstructed ride on the 570-mile system. 

I want to thank all toll collectors, both past and present, who have served as the backbone of the Thruway Authority since the first tolls were collected in 1954. Their hard work and dedication serving customers has made the Thruway what it is today. 

    -- Thruway Authority Executive Director Matthew J. Driscoll