I-90
I-90 west of Park City, Montana in US. Credit: David Fulmer from Pittsburgh.

The Government of New York has announced the installation of the final 70 steel gantries on I-90 at exit 42 in Geneva, achieving a significant milestone in the $355m project.

The final gantry was erected prior to the Thruway’s conversion to cashless tolling system.

Under the phase 1 of the project, installation of gantries at 21 at the highway and 34 on the entrance/exit ramp tolling locations was concluded on schedule, as per the budget.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said: “This project is transforming New York’s transportation system by improving driving experiences, expediting traffic flow, and improving air quality in areas surrounding toll plazas.

“With upgrades like this, we are ushering in a new modern era for traveling across this state which will benefit motorists for decades to come.”

Currently, cashless tolling equipment are being installed on the gantries including advanced sensors and cameras that read E -ZPas tags reading and record license plate numbers.

Once completed, the gantries will have more than 2,000 cameras affixed allowing motorists to seamlessly drive, without having to stop to pay tolls.

Vehicles with E-ZPass tags will be automatically charged, while vehicles without the tag will have their license plate image captured and a toll bill mailed to the registered owner.

Thruway Authority executive director Matthew Driscoll said: “As the project continues, we’re on schedule for the system to go live by the end of 2020, ushering in a new era of transportation on the Thruway.”

Gantries over the mainline highway range from 58ft to 150ft in length by 23ft in height and weigh between 25,000 and 104,000 pounds while over the entrance/exit ramps range from 48ft to 94ft in length by 23ft in height and weigh between 33,000 and 74,000 pounds.

The fabrication utilises indigenously steel manufactured at LMC Industrial Contractors in Livingston.

Motorists are encouraged to sign up for E-ZPass ensuring convenient payment on tolls on the Thruway.

Last year, Cashless Tolling Constructors (CTC) had won the contract to install cashless tolling across the entire Thruway ticketed system.