Toll Plaza Goes Out After Cashless Tolls Come In

With a cashless toll system set to begin on the Tappan Zee Bridge April 23, details have been released as to how the transition will be made from a toll plaza to new landings for the new bridge.

Having the cashless tolling system means vehicles that do not have an E-Z Pass will be detected and charged each time they pass under a camera-equipped gantry on the Rockland County side of the bridge.

According to information from the state Thruway Authority, Tappan Zee Constructors, which is building the new bridge, will redesign the area around the toll plaza in Tarrytown to let traffic seamlessly maneuver away from the bridge.

Once the cashless toll system is activated, the toll plaza will no longer be staffed and a few lanes will be taken out of service.

That will let Tappan Zee Constructors remove part of the toll plaza.

The first phase will happen just after midnight April 23 when the cashless tolling system is turned on.

The four right eastbound lanes of the toll plaza will be taken out of service and that part of the structure will be removed.

Remaining lanes will be open to traffic, but at reduced speeds.

The Thruway Authority advises motorists to approach the unstaffed toll booths will caution and adhere to the posted 20 mph speed limit.

Phase two will happen about one month after April 23.

At that time, the four right eastbound lanes will be clear, allowing traffic to get from the bridge to the Thruway.

Tappan Zee Constructors will then remove the remaining toll plaza structure and create landings for the new bridge.

For more information, go to the New NY Bridge website here.

Photo captions: Lane changes for removal of the Tarrytown toll plaza. Photo credit: NYSDOT.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article attributed information to the state Department of Transportation. It was the Thruway Authority. Patch regrets the error.