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September 24. 2012 10:18PM

Gov. Lynch see E-ZPass progress in the fast lanes


Gov. John Lynch reviews the I-93 open road tolling project's progress with Sam Audley of R.S. Audley Construction, right. (BRENDAN CLOGSTON PHOTO)

HOOKSETT —The official who oversees New Hampshire toll roads said New Hampshire is not ready for an E-ZPass-only system at its tollbooths — not yet, anyway.

But Christopher Waszczuk, administrator of the state Bureau of Turnpikes, said a conversion to an all-electronic system could take place once some Granite State drivers overcome the idea of their travel information being recorded even as state laws prevent the sharing of such data.

“New Hampshire is not ready for all-electronic tolling yet,” Waszczuk said.

Waszczuk made his comments Monday when Gov. John Lynch visited the Hooksett tolls to review the progress of the open-road tolling project.

Open road tolling allows drivers to pay tolls via E-ZPass at highway speeds.

The $26.7 million project, the second in the state, will convert six lanes of traditional toll booths to four lanes of open-road tolling.

“New Hampshire should be very proud that we're the only state in New England which has open road tolling. It's really important for New Hampshire,” Lynch said. “Motorists will see the tangible benefits as soon as this comes online,” he said.

State transportation officials had hoped for a $10 million federal grant to pay for the open-road coversion. But when the application was rejected, the project went forward, funded by toll revenue and cost-savings in the turnpike system.

Construction started in June, and the high-speed lanes should be open in mid-June 2013.

Open-road is currently under design at the Bedford tolls.

bclogston@newstote.com


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