Mass. All-Electronic Tolling Up For National Transportation Award

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation's transition from toll booths to all-electronic tolling is up for the Grand Prize in the 2017 America's Transportation Awards. The competition, sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, AAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, has recognized the project as a Top 12 transportation initiative nationwide.

MassDOT was previously named the winner of the "Best Use of Technology and Innovation, Medium Project" category in the America's Transportation Awards on July 12. The all-electronic tolling project will now be considered by a panel of transportation industry experts for the Grand Prize and is subject to a public vote for the People's Choice Award.

"On behalf of the men and women of MassDOT, I want to thank AASHTO, AAA, and the Chamber of Commerce for recognizing our successful transition to AET," Acting Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver said in a statement. "We believe the goals of the program, which include increased safety, relief from traffic congestion in former toll plaza areas, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, have begun to be realized, and are thrilled that our efforts will receive wider exposure as a result of their inclusion as a Top 12 project in America’s Transportation Awards."

The transition to all-electronic tolling began last fall with the elimination of manual toll collection on the Mass. Pike. Road reconstruction on all 23 work zones around former toll plazas are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Click here to cast a People's Choice Ballot for the 2017 America's Transportation Awards.

Image via MassDOT