GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. — The Thruway Authority will flip the switch on the new cashless tolling system on Grand Island overnight Thursday (March 29) and into Friday morning.
State Police will stop traffic for a few minutes just before the changeover so the Thruway Authority can shut down some of the old tollbooth lanes.
Once the system "goes live," north and southbound drivers will go through one of three remaining toll booth lanes without stopping. The speed limit through the old toll booth plaza is 20 mph. The old toll booths will be removed in phases in the future, so drivers should be aware of changing traffic patterns.
Drivers will go through the gantries as part of the new cashless system. If you're driving north, the gantry is located just after the bridge and before the Grand Island Boulevard exit. If you're headed south from Niagara Falls, you'll pass through a gantry after crossing over the bridge and after going through the old toll plaza.
If you have an E-ZPass, your toll will be collected the same way it is now. Drivers who don't have an E-ZPass will get a bill in the mail. The new system takes pictures of license plates, and the registered owner of the vehicle will get a bill in the mail 30 to 45 days after going through the cashless toll.
Click here to pay a bill you just got, pay for the trip you just took or to plan an upcoming trip.
You have 30 days to pay a toll bill. If you do not, you'll get a second bill with a $5 late fee attached. If you don't pay the second bill, it turns into a violation. Drivers will get a notice mailed to them, along with an up to $50 violation per trip.
For questions regarding Notice of Toll violations, contact E-ZPass customer service at 1-800-333-8655.
If you drove through the cashless tolls but didn't get a bill, contact the Tolls by Mail customer service center at 1-844-826-8400 immediately to address the issue and avoid any fines.