Cashless Tolls Coming to Goethals Bridge on Sept. 4

Goethals activation will complete cashless tolling changeover at all Staten Island crossings; all-electronic systems scheduled for George Washington Bridge, Lincoln and Holland tunnels by 2021

On Aug 28, 2019

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey announced that, weather permitting, it will activate an all-electronic tolling system at the Goethals Bridge on Sept. 4. This completes the implementation of cashless tolling at all three Staten Island crossings and advances the Port Authority’s commitment to upgrade all agency systems to 21^st century standards.

In July, the Board of Commissioners approved cashless tolling for the George Washington Bridge and Lincoln and Holland tunnels. By 2021, all six Port Authority’s crossings will have the faster, more efficient, and more environmentally-friendly system. The Port Authority first implemented a cashless tolling system at the Bayonne Bridge in February 2017 and at the Outerbridge Crossing in April 2019.

To make final preparations for the Goethals activation, the eastbound lanes of the bridge will be closed from 10 p.m. on Sept. 3, through 5 a.m. on Sept. 4. The bridge’s westbound lanes into New Jersey will remain open. During that time, motorists traveling eastbound into New York should use the Outerbridge Crossing or the Bayonne Bridge as alternates.

With cashless tolling at the Goethals Bridge, drivers will travel on four new open-road toll lanes. In order to accommodate the four new lanes, the existing eight toll booths, including the toll islands under the administration building, are scheduled to be demolished by the end of November. The agency is finishing the testing of cashless tolling equipment and the striping of lanes is scheduled the night before activation, dependent on weather.

The cashless tolling system will debit travelers’ E-ZPass accounts as they drive under the overhead gantry at regular roadway speeds. Drivers without an E-ZPass account will have images of their license plate captured by overhead cameras, and a bill for the toll amount will then be sent by mail.

E-ZPass remains the most convenient way for customers to pay tolls and provides a discount over the Toll-by-Mail toll rate. E-ZPass accounts are easy to open online at www.E-ZPassNY.com or by calling the E-ZPass New York Customer Service Center at 1-800-333-TOLL(8655).

“The implementation of cashless tolling will not only improve drivers’ experiences at our crossings, but it will also contribute to improved air quality in our community by reducing emissions from idling vehicles,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “The Port Authority is determined to do our part to contribute to a cleaner environment and bring exceptional customer service to our travelers.”

“This electronic toll collection system will enable vehicles to maintain their speed under the new cashless tolling gantries. That is better for travelers and for the environment,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “Cashless open-road tolling is the current best-in-class technology for toll facilities.”

Activation of the cashless tolling system will require the Port Authority’s carpool plan to be discontinued due to the impracticality of continuing the plan with cashless tolling.

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