Cashless Tolling To Roll Out On Hatem, Key Bridges

MARYLAND — Cashless tolling will begin this fall at two bridges, and the Maryland Transportation Authority is hosting information sessions to help get people up to speed. The Hatem Bridge and the Key Bridge in October will transition from cash tolls to all electronic, like the system in place on the Express Toll Lanes, officials say.

The tolls will be collected through E-ZPass or video tolling, according to authorities, and the change will occur in late October.

Cashless tolls, already in effect on the Intercounty Connector/ICC, will reduce congestion, create less idle time and increase fuel efficiency, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.

The Hatem and Key bridges will be the first among Maryland bridges to convert to all-electronic tolls because 93 percent of Hatem Bridge users and 80 percent of Key Bridge users already pay with E-ZPass, transportation officials reported.

By September, new overhead structures will be installed at these two bridges, which carry those traveling along US 40 and Interstate 695; and in late October, all tolls will be collected electronically. At that point, drivers will still go through the existing toll plazas.

Work at the Hatem and Key bridges is expected to be complete by spring 2021, at which point the existing toll plazas will be demolished, and pavement will be reconstructed. Once this is done, drivers will be able to continue traveling at highway speeds, without slowing down for the tolls.

Officials estimate drivers at the Hatem and Key bridges will save $1 million in fuel and 44,000 hours each year simply by not stopping at toll booths.

Since the bridges where cashless tolling will be rolled out are the Hatem Bridge and the Key Bridge, the open house-style sessions will be held in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Cecil and Harford counties.

These information sessions are planned:

• 6–8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21, at Havre de Grace Activity Center, 351 Lewis Lane, Havre de Grace
• 6–8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, at Sollers Point Multi-Purpose Center, 323 Sollers Point Road, Dundalk
• 6–8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29, at Perryville High School, 1696 Perryville Road, Perryville

The sessions above are open houses, and officials say there will not be any formal presentation given. People may sign up for EZ Pass at the open houses.

The first open house was May 20 at Ferndale Volunteer Fire Department in Glen Burnie.