Now that all seven Bay Area bridges have transitioned to electronic tolling, transportation officials are working on a plan to replace toll booths with overhead apparatuses.
Work is underway to implement what the Bay Area Toll Authority refers to as Open Road Tolling, a process that could take up to five years. Project Manager Jeff Gerbracht said Wednesday that means removing toll booths and installing overhead gantries equipped with improving vehicle detection for toll payments.
"High resolution camera will be purchased, which capture quality images even at higher vehicle speeds and in lower light," he said.
The goal is to reduce traffic congestion by eliminating the need to slow down.
"Since freeway speeds are faster than slowing to drive through a toll booth, travel times would be reduced," Gerbracht added. "Pre-COVID traffic studies have estimated between three to seven minutes (of) time savings. Of course, this varies by plaza and also varies by time of day."
Metering lights will still turn on during peak hours.
Drivers will make payments through either FasTrak, a monthly toll invoice, license plate accounts or pay in advance. Full implementation for northern bridges is set for 2023, southern bridges 2024 and the Bay Bridge by 2026.
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