Cashless tolling will permanently remain in place across Maryland highways according to Gov. Larry Hogan’s announcement Thursday.
Tolls will now be collected completely through E-ZPass and video tolling, eliminating cash interactions.
The electronic tolling is now in place statewide at the following MDTA facilities:
- John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway (Interstate 95)
- Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95)
- Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (Interstate 895)
- Nice/Middleton Bridge (U.S. Route 301)
Electric tolling had already been implemented in the following facilities:
- Intercounty Connector (ICC)/Maryland Route 200
- I-95 Express Toll Lanes in Baltimore
- Key (Interstate 695) and Hatem (U.S. Route 40) bridges
- Bay Bridge
The Maryland Transportation Authority had temporarily implemented all-electronic tolling statewide in March as part of its COVID-19 response. Cashless tolling not only increases safety but decreases engine idling for better fuel efficiency, reduces emissions, and decreases congestion.
Motorists who previously paid with cash at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, Fort McHenry Tunnel, Baltimore Harbor Tunnel and the Nice/Middleton Bridge are currently assessed via video tolling at the cash rate. Standard video toll rates will be restored at a date yet to be determined.
“In addition to historic toll relief and record-breaking progress on critical infrastructure updates, permanent all-electronic tolling is the latest step we have taken to save motorists time and money,” said Governor Hogan in a press release. “By combining innovation, safety, and savings, this truly is a win-win for the state government and for everyone who travels in our great state.”
Motorists are urged to sign up for E-ZPass Maryland. Transponders are free, and sign-up is available 24/7 at ezpassmd.com. Motorists also can get E-ZPass On-the-Go transponders at participating Giant Food and Weis Markets. The transponder comes with $25 in prepaid tolls for immediate use, then users can sign up online for E-ZPass service. A full list of retail locations is available at ezpassmd.com/en/onthego/locations.shtml.
Drivers will soon also have the option to register their vehicle for a new Pay-By-Plate method that allows tolls to be automatically billed to credit cards at the same rate as cash toll rates for all facilities, except the Intercounty Connector and I-95 Express Toll Lanes (ETL). For the ICC and ETL, customers using Pay-By-Plate will still save at least 20% on their tolls compared to the video toll rate. Pay-By-Plate benefits infrequent toll customers as well as those who do not have an E-ZPass account.