MassDOT Changing Signs on Mass Pike

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) begins an overhaul this week of all signage at toll plazas on the Turnpike, Tobin Bridge and Airport Tunnels to improve safety and meet federal highway guidelines. Drivers will see the Fast Lane signs come down and E-ZPass signs go up; Cash Only signs will also be updated as part of the project.

“Driver hesitation and confusion can jeopardize safety at our toll plazas,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard Davey. “We want the general public and our 1.7 million transponder holders to know that E-ZPass and Fast Lane are now one and the same.” 

Purple and white E-ZPass signs will be familiar to most because the brand exists on toll roads in more than a dozen states, including Maine, New Hampshire and New York. There are more than 22 million E-ZPass holders in the country.

“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.”

The $1.2 million project is funded primarily through a federal safety grant, with $185,000 coming from the Western Turnpike Capital fund. The project is expected to continue through the summer months with work performed during off-peak hours, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., to reduce the impact on the motoring public.

Travelers will first notice ‘COMING SOON: We are Changing Our Name’ signs along the Turnpike during the week of May 7 and Interchange 11 (Route 122, Millbury/Worcester) will be the first plaza to completely transition to E-ZPass signage. The transition then takes place west to east along the Turnpike with Interchanges 1 through 3, continues east and ends at the Tobin Bridge.

Information courtesy of MassDOT.

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