Cashless Tolling Option Offered On Bay Bridge Ends Jan. 31

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The cashless tolling option that was available on Thursdays and Fridays on the Bay Bridge that took effect October 2019 will end Jan. 31. Cashless tolling was implemented in the hopes of minimizing traffic backups during the westbound deck rehabilitation project.

Beginning Feb. 1, E-ZPass and cash will be accepted as forms of payment at the toll plaza at all times. Lower traffic volumes during the winter months and the return to standard tolling every day will help advance the work that is underway to implement full-time, all-electronic tolling by this summer.

This month, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) announced it will start removing some toll booths as part of its aggressive schedule to implement full-time, all-electronic tolling at the Bay Bridge by summer 2020. Toll lanes three, four and five are permanently closed to allow workers to dismantle the toll booths and create wider lanes through the plaza. Motorists are reminded to obey all signs and speed limits, as the plaza will remain an active work zone.

Outside of summer months, up to 90 percent of Bay Bridge drivers use E-ZPass and, overall, 74 percent of Bay Bridge drivers are E-ZPass customers. Discontinuing the Thursday and Friday cashless tolling gives workers more time to dismantle the booths to prepare for higher speeds through the toll plaza, instead of spending hours each week setting up and taking down temporary signage needed for these cashless tolling operations. As traffic volumes increase, MDTA will continue to evaluate traffic patterns and may re-institute limited cashless tolling during certain times if needed.

In addition to accepting E-ZPass and cash, standard tolling operations include Video Tolling (two-axle $6), for motorists who proceed through the toll plaza without payment. Motorists are encouraged to get ready for all-electronic tolling by enrolling in E-ZPass Maryland. Standard transponders are free, there is no monthly fee for customers with Maryland addresses, and customers pay the lowest rates at state toll facilities.