Milestone Marks Cashless Tolling Implementation on All New York State-Run Toll Roads, for Safer and More Seamless Travel
Tolls Now Collected Through E-ZPass or Tolls by Mail Across the Entire State Bridge Authority and Thruway Authority Road Network
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that cashless tolling has been implemented as of Tuesday, March 1 at the Mid-Hudson Bridge connecting Highland and Poughkeepsie. This significant milestone marks the completion of the implementation of cashless tolling across the five-bridge system operated by the New York State Bridge Authority, and brings all New York State-run toll roads under cashless tolling.
“When the Mid-Hudson Bridge opened in 1930, then-Governor Franklin Roosevelt extolled the economic and social benefits that this bridge and others like it would bring to the Hudson Valley and the rest of New York State,” Governor Hochul said. “Today, much like during FDR’s time, New York is making critical investments to strengthen our infrastructure network for the needs of the 21st century, including the implementation of cashless tolling. This milestone is a testament to our commitment to the continued enhancement of New York’s transportation network, and with all of our state-run toll roads operating with cashless technology, New Yorkers can now enjoy the benefits of safer, more seamless travel on our bridges and highways.”
Motorists now experience non-stop travel under a gantry with state-of-the-art sensors and cameras that read E-ZPass tags and take license plate images. Vehicles with E-ZPass tags will be automatically charged and vehicles without E-ZPass tags will have their license plate image captured and a toll bill mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle via Tolls by Mail NY.
The overhead gantry with the cashless tolling equipment was constructed on the west approach to the bridge, just west of the Bridge Authority’s Headquarters. As with all Hudson River bridges, tolls are collected from eastbound travelers only.
The current toll booths are scheduled to be removed imminently. Removing the toll booths will ensure that the roadway remains clear of obstructions in order to allow safer and smoother movement of traffic. While the toll booth demolition is taking place, drivers will be routed through the current toll plaza area and are asked to proceed with caution.
In addition to smoother and safer travel, cashless tolling also offers environmental benefits due to less engine idling and wasted fuel, leading to fewer vehicle emissions.
Cashless tolling is now in effect at all five spans operated by the New York State Bridge Authority: the Bear Mountain, Newburgh-Beacon, Mid-Hudson, Kingston-Rhinecliff, and Rip Van Winkle bridges. The Newburgh-Beacon Bridge was the first to go live with cashless tolling on July 7, 2021. The other four bridges went live incrementally over the subsequent months, with the Mid-Hudson Bridge being the last to make the switch.
The Bridge Authority’s switch to cashless tolling marks the latest milestone in New York’s efforts to bring the technology to roads and bridges and provide more seamless travel for drivers throughout the Empire State. In recent years, MTA Bridges & Tunnels and the New York State Thruway Authority have implemented cashless tolling, with the Bridge Authority now being the latest state entity to completely convert to the new system.
In 2021, the Thruway Authority announced the completion of the Authority’s Cashless Tolling Design-Build Project which marked the final phase in the conversion to cashless tolling on the entire 570-mile Thruway system. The final phase of the project featured removal of 230 individual toll booths and reconstruction and realignment of 52 former toll plaza locations on the Thruway’s former ticketed system.
Executive Director of the New York State Bridge Authority Dr. Minosca Alcantara said, “Since its opening in 1930, the Mid-Hudson Bridge has been a vital connector for Ulster and Dutchess Counties and one of New York State’s most beautiful bridges. Nearly a century later, we enter an exciting new chapter for this iconic span, the Bridge Authority, and the entire region that we serve. Cashless tolling is bridging the Hudson Valley and improving travel for all.”
Chair of the New York State Bridge Authority Board of Commissioners Joan McDonald said, “The Board of the New York State Bridge Authority is pleased to mark this exciting milestone for the Authority and the state’s transportation system. Cashless tolling offers a seamless travel experience and we are proud to join our partners at other transportation entities that have implemented this cutting-edge technology for the benefit of the traveling public. The board offers its sincere thanks to the staff of NYSBA for their dedication and hard work in launching this new system over the past year.”
Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson said, “As the Assemblymember representing both Highland and the City of Poughkeepsie, I couldn't be more pleased to see the Mid-Hudson Bridge move to cashless tolling. I send my thanks and congratulations to everyone at the New York State Bridge Authority for their hard work facilitating this change. Now that the Mid-Hudson Bridge joins the other cashless-tolling bridges in the Hudson Valley, I look forward to faster, smoother, and safer travel across our region.”
Staffing Plans
While there will no longer be toll collecting staff in physical booths, some of the toll collecting and bridge operations staff at the Authority’s spans have transitioned to new security technician positions to staff the bridges during the same hours they were staffed prior to going cashless. The security technicians will maintain the operational functions that were previously performed by toll collecting operations staff, such as assisting with emergency response and on-site security monitoring. In addition, all spans operated by the New York State Bridge Authority are monitored 24/7 by the Authority’s Command Center.
Payment Options
All drivers without an E-ZPass tag are strongly encouraged to obtain a tag to take advantage of savings and convenience. Tags can be ordered at www.e-zpassny.com or picked up at a number of retailers across the State. NY E-ZPass users pay discounted toll rates at Bridge Authority facilities and on other toll roads within the E-ZPass network.
Non-E-ZPass customers have a number of options to pay, including by mail, over the phone, online, and via the Tolls NY app. Customers who call **826 from most mobile devices will receive a text message with a link to the Tolls by Mail NY website (www.tollsbymailny.com) and information on how to pay their toll bill. All Tolls by Mail customers will pay the full rate on tolls.
The Bridge Authority recommends all drivers download the Tolls NY mobile app to easily keep track of E-ZPass statements and to pay Tolls by Mail invoices.
About the New York State Bridge Authority
The New York State Bridge Authority operates the Bear Mountain, Newburgh-Beacon, Mid-Hudson, Kingston-Rhinecliff and Rip Van Winkle Bridges. It also owns and maintains the structure of the Walkway Over the Hudson pedestrian bridge. The Authority is funded principally from bridge tolls and receives no state or federal tax monies for bridge maintenance and operation. Learn more at www.nysba.ny.gov. The New York State Bridge Authority can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NYSBridge and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NYSBridge.