TOUGHEST PHASE OF I-78 EXPRESS E-ZPASS/ORT PROJECT COMPLETED I-78 Toll Plaza to Operate with Four Lanes - One E-ZPass-Only, Three Mixed-Mode - Until Project's Memorial Day Weekend Completion Date

Contact: Joe Donnelly (215) 862-7693 or Pete Peterson (215) 893-4297

EASTON, PA - The most difficult phase of the I-78 Express E-ZPass/Open Road Tolling Project - the setup of a cordoned-off construction zone - was carried out this weekend with moderate traffic impacts for westbound motorists using the busy Interstate highway, Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission Executive Director Frank G. McCartney said today.

The first phase of the project required the seven-lane toll plaza to be reduced to three active toll lanes from 8 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. today. This caused some traffic delays during the daytime hours on Saturday, but toll-collection lines were otherwise kept to minimum over the weekend.

With highway barriers put in place to create a secure construction zone at the toll plaza and its westbound approach roadway, the I-78 toll plaza will now operate with four active toll lanes until Express E-ZPass/ORT service becomes operational - currently scheduled for the Memorial Day weekend this May. The fourth lane that was restored to service today is only for E-ZPass-equipped vehicles - both cars and trucks. The Commission is now using high-resolution cameras and lights to identify toll scofflaws at I-78.

"The toughest phase of this project is now behind us and we are relieved that the construction zone could be created with moderate traffic impacts," said McCartney. "However, some substantial challenges lie ahead as we now try to handle weekday traffic volumes with only four of seven toll booths available at this facility."

As the project progresses, some sporadic lane closures may be necessary for installation of sign structures and other construction activities, however they would be scheduled at off-peak travel times.

Once installed, Express E-ZPass/ORT will allow E-ZPass-equipped motorists to pay tolls electronically while driving at highway speeds. The goal of the Express E-ZPass/ORT project is to improve traffic capacity, operations and safety at the toll plaza. Once in place the electronic-toll-collection upgrade will reduce delays and traffic backups.

The I-78 Bridge serves as a critical link between Newark, N.J. and Harrisburg, Pa. and is heavily used by long-haul truckers going to and from the Newark/Elizabeth ports region.

The I-78 facility has the highest traffic volumes of any of the seven toll bridges in the Commission's 20-bridge system. On average, more than 27,000 vehicles passed through the toll plaza each day in 2008.

Express E-ZPass lanes can reduce traffic congestion by processing up to 1800 cars per hour per lane as compared to 360 cars per hour per lane by manual toll collection.

The proposed toll plaza enhancements will result in two Express E-ZPass lanes and four mixed-mode toll lanes (cash & E-ZPass) at the plaza. All lanes will be able to process car and truck transactions. Express E-ZPass lanes will be for through-traffic only. Motorists planning to use Exit 75 to Easton or the Welcome Center will be directed to the mixed-mode toll lanes.

To reap the benefits of the system upgrades, the Commission is urging motorists to get E-ZPass accounts by going to www.ezpassdrjtbc.com or calling1-800-872-5061.

In conjunction with the project's start up, the Commission is offering E-ZPass QuickStart account sign up sessions at the I-78 Welcome Center from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday of this week.

Anticipating the possibility of traffic delays arising from the project, the Commission took a series of steps to mitigate potential delays at the I-78 toll plaza. These include:

• Placement of variable message signs on the approaches to the bridge and toll plaza, warning motorists of potential delays and to consider alternative routes such as the Easton-Phillipsburg (Route 22) Toll Bridge.

• Initiation of the project during the low-traffic-volume months of winter with completion before the peak summer driving period.

• Removal of toll gates at the facility prior to the start of construction activities to facilitate increased throughput at the toll plaza's remaining lanes in operation. (A new camera-based toll violator tracking system has been installed at the location to identify and track toll scofflaws.)

• Ramped-up use of the NJ511 Travel Alert system to warn westbound motorists on I-78 in New Jersey about the construction work taking place at the I-78 toll plaza after the Delaware River bridge.

About the Commission

The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission was formed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of New Jersey in 1934. It operates seven toll bridges and 13 toll-supported bridges, two of which are pedestrian-only spans. The Commission's jurisdiction extends along the Delaware River from the Philadelphia-Bucks County line north to the New Jersey/New York border. The bridges carried more than 140 million cars and trucks in 2008. For more information about the Commission and its various initiatives to deliver safer and more convenient bridge travel for its customers, please see: www.drjtbc.org.