I believe they're late as usual but TollRoadsNews article on the NCTA financing of the Triangle Expressway http://www.tollroadsnews.com/ (http://www.tollroadsnews.com/)
Nice, NCTA is on it's feet, but wouldn't it look really stupid once the Triangle Expressway is complete, and it just funnels onto NC 540, which would end only a couple miles away? Plus, would it be signed as NC 147?
Toll Road News is a trade magazine - and like all trade magazines..they go by press releases...so they will always be behind.
The Triangle Expressway is the combination of a few projects. NJRoadman, you are correct that one part will include building/extending the Durham Freeway from just south of 40 to NC 540 but it also includes about ten miles of extension of NC 540 from its current end at NC 55 near Apex toNC 55 in Holly Springs. Supposedly with the loan from the USDOT and the selling of over $615 million in bonds - construction will start in August. (But "construction will start soon" has been said every summer for the past three years.)
While the project is needed, one should question its viability as a toll road. Its strictly local/regional focus and length are likely reasons why some think it won't generate enough cash.
So, lets just bail the NC Turnpike Authority out with tax payer "loans". On top of that, lets take a free, taxpayer funded roadway (NC-540 between NC-55 and I-40) and convert that into a private toll road. The whole reason for creating a turnpike authority was to fund and build a self sustaining roadway without using a dime of taxpayer money. This road certainly doesn't meet that goal if they couldn't sell enough bonds to cover the complete cost. Heck, how much money has been spent already to run NCTA along with the studies for ETC vendors and toll revenue projections? That money could have been used to start building the road already! (and I thought NJ was bad!)
Sorry if I sound bitter, but this project was a mess to start with. Lets hope they at least have half a brain cell and accept E-ZPass for toll payment. Half of the target market likely already has tags.
As for the alternate (improving NC-55), the Town of Cary has already footed the bill to twin a good part of the highway and is getting paid back by the state the next couple of years. It really wouldn't be that bad if they would just widen it in Apex already. I am aware of that stupid RR overpass, but that one bridge alone shouldn't be holding up the widening of that roadway.
Bob Malme and I were at this morning's groundbreaking ceremony for the Triangle Expressway (or as the hope to call it the "TriEx".)
Blog:
http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/2009/08/ground-breaks-on-new-era-of-north.html (http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/2009/08/ground-breaks-on-new-era-of-north.html)
Photo Set:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15530177@N05/sets/72157622024200674/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/15530177@N05/sets/72157622024200674/)
Story Links w/video:
http://news14.com/content/top_stories/613205/officials-break-ground-on-state-s-first-toll-road/Default.aspx (http://news14.com/content/top_stories/613205/officials-break-ground-on-state-s-first-toll-road/Default.aspx)
http://www.wral.com/traffic/story/5777906/ (http://www.wral.com/traffic/story/5777906/)
What, no free food? The PTC catered the groundbreaking for the Uniontown-to-Brownsville section of 43, but then again, they are old hands at breaking ground for new toll roads.
Well TollRoadsNews is calling it the "TriEx" :-D http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/4304 (http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/4304)
The NCTA is starting to look at the last 30 miles of the Raleigh Outer Loop (Southern and Eastern Wake Expressways) as a possible toll road. Nothing will really be decided until 2011.
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/traffic/story/152206.html (http://www.newsobserver.com/news/traffic/story/152206.html)
I can hear the good folks in Charlotte yelling 'FOUL' if this happens.
Why would Charlotte cry foul over a Raleigh beltline?
Easy...Raleigh's would have been started after 485 began and completed before 485 would be. It's the never ending Charlotte vs. Raleigh rivalry that has been part of this state for decades.
The normal point brought up is (paraphrasing) "Raleigh already has a loop (I-440 Beltline) how do they get a second (540) before we're finished with one (485)!?"
It's been ongoing (adding Fayetteville and Wilmington to their list of cities to complain about) for some time. (http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/2007/12/us.html (http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/2007/12/us.html))
Different cities have different needs. I don't see the problem.
Quote from: Chris on October 25, 2009, 09:21:37 AM
Different cities have different needs. I don't see the problem.
Like many rivalries, this one's not based on any rational ideas.
Two companies won the contracts of three separate toll collection contracts for the under-construction Triangle Expressway. The contracts totaled $37.6 million and came in $9 million under budget.
* Affiliated Computer Services Inc. won the $14.2 million toll-collection system contract. ACS will design, develop and install the automated system, including all toll-related hardware and software on the roadway, optical character recognition software and the main computer server and database.
* In addition, ACS won an $8 million contract to design and implement a system to process customer accounts, handle billing and produce a customer relations Web site.
* URS Corp. was awarded the $15.3 million contract to manage and staff all customer service facilities and related activities.
At this time, an exact toll schedule has yet to be published; however, the toll is estimated to be charged at a 10-20/cent per mile cost. Also, compatibility with existing toll collection systems like E-ZPass (used throughout the Northeast) has yet to be determined.
Story: http://www.wral.com/traffic/story/6651570/
Sunday, Bob Malme and I did a quick trip to look at the progress on the Triangle Expressway. THere's not as much as one would think.
http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/2010/02/first-tour-of-triex-in-2010.html
we'll most likely every 4-6 weeks take a brief trip to talke a look at the progress on the new toll road.
In what otherwise is a filler story, the News & Observer ran an article today on the NCTA plans to build the Southern Wake Expressway as part of the Triangle Expressway (NC 540) Toll Road.
The only new newsworthy bit is that they are now floating 2014 as a construction start date.
http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/03/30/413414/southern-wake-loops-roadwork-to.html
Bob Malme, Chris Allen, and I took a quick trip Saturday to track the progress of the Triangle Expressway. A lot more work has been done on the NC 540 extension than the shorter three mile NC 147 extension.
http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/2010/04/april-tri-ex-progress-roadtrip-report.html
bob, Brian, Chris, and I did the May Tri-Ex trip Sunday:
Bob did all the photos and the write up on the blog:
http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/2010/05/may-tri-ex-roadtrip.html
Wake County Commissioners vote in support of the original 1996 'protected corridor' for the southeastern extension of the Triangle Expressway.
Story: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/10/19/748525/uproar-rises-on-siting-of-turnpike.html
On the blog I include links to two NCTA videos - one is an overview of the project/process shown at recent public hearings and a second is a flyby of the 'protected corridor' from NC 55 in Holly Springs to I-40 in Garner and of a proposed alignment from I-40 to the Knightdale Bypass (US 64/264)
http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/2010/10/wake-county-commissioners-support.html
NCDOT confirms that the TriEx will not have purple shields/guide signs:
http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/2010/11/ncdot-triex-wont-have-purple-signs.html
Last week, the NCTA eliminated three possible alternative routes for the Triangle Expressway. However, the original corridor ("Orange") laid out in the 1990s may impact the endangered dwarf wedge mussel. The alternative route, the Red Corridor, would avoid the mussel but have a greater impact on the town of Garner.
Garner held a town meeting this evening to discuss the two routings and their respective impacts on the town.
For more:
http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/2010/11/ncta-narrows-possible-alignments-on.html
Last month, Bob Malme and I did a photo update trip of the TriEx. Bob's photos are up at the blog:
http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/2010/11/tri-ex-progress-photos.html
My set:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15530177@N05/sets/72157625061944593/
The N&O has a story on the time line for the opening of the TriEx. The extension of NC 147 to NC 540 should open this December with tolls in place after the first of the year.
http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/09/08/1469097/free-parkway-preview.html
The extension of NC 540 to NC 55 in Holly Springs will be open in two phases. The first - from NC 55 in Morrisville to US 64 will open in August 2012 and the rest of the highway to NC 55 in Holly Springs in December 2012.
Also of note: there will be a 5k and fun run on Saturday, November 20th on the new portion of NC 147. The Hurricanes have a home game that afternoon (5 pm vs. Toronto) so maybe a pseudo-meet involving the run and afterwards tailgating and hockey.
The N&O story says this:
QuoteNorth Carolina's first modern toll road is also the first to be built in the United States without cash collection booths. All tolls will be collected electronically, with a two-tiered rate system.
I believe that's incorrect. MD-200, commonly called the Intercounty Connector, opened earlier this year and is electronic-only as to toll collection. But I don't know which road's construction began first.
Considering that the ICC was the first to have a segment open...
There was an article on wral.com today concerning various highway projects in NC moving forward now because the state is able to fund their construction through GARVEE bonds.
Why couldn't they have taken the same approach in finishing the Raleigh Outer Loop instead of having a mishmash of tolled/toll free/Interstate/NC routes that just happen to form a circle?
Article from the 5k on the yet to be open NC 147 section of the TriEx yesterday:
http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/11/21/1660510/runners-pound-new-triangle-expressway.html
We ran from the Dobson Road Exit (Exit 3) to I-40 (Exit 5) and back. Didn't have time to stick around and take photos as we had to head over to the arena for the Hurricanes/Maple Leafs game. But there are a number of photos on the N&O website.
http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/11/20/1660059/first-look-triangle-expressway.html
The exit 1 overhead shown with the article is huge! As for the road itself - there's a few areas near the I-40 exit that still needs striping and signs on the on/off ramps and NC 147 Toll Reassurance markers needs to be installed.
At least they use the black on yellow LEFT banner on the sign. I've seen that used so spottily in NC
I thought that advance guide sign for I-540/NC 540 on I-40 East in RTP was big...but then again, diagrammaticals SHOULD be bigger
But that does raise (pun intended) an interesting question. Is the raised cap configuration on that diagrammatical sign right? The cardinal directions look awfully small.
And for the AGS's for I-40, the raised caps are barely perceptible, something I've noticed on other upgraded guide signs in NC.
The ratio should be in the range of 4:3 to 6:5. 10" initial / 8" others or 12"/10" are typical. Next step up is 15"/12".
Ah, okay, that makes sense. I've seen raised caps on BGS on NC signs of varying ratios, and now it makes sense.
My friend, Chris Allen, has a small blog entry about the TriEx 5k.
http://actionallen.blogspot.com/2011/11/triangle-expressway-trot.html
TOLLROADSnews: First North Carolina pike in the modern era due to open this Thursday - Triangle Expressway Phase 1 (http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/5642)
ROAD TRIP (was going to go to Chapel Hill and Raleigh anyway this or next weekend)
Eh, I'll most likely will drive it on Saturday. More interested in how the Davis Drive interchange in 540 has been reconfigured.
Is it free like the ICC?
Yes through the end of the month.
As the Gaston County motto so wisely says, "If it's free, it's for me."
Hmm. I may have to check it out once I have my car worked on, then.
You're better off waiting til the whole thing is open later this year...yeah you will have to pay tolls for part of it. But it's more worth while than really two-three miles of new road. It's not that terribly exciting.
Free to the end of the month is good, I get to check it out while I'm down there after Christmas.
Quote from: CanesFan27 on December 06, 2011, 11:07:01 PM
You're better off waiting til the whole thing is open later this year...yeah you will have to pay tolls for part of it. But it's more worth while than really two-three miles of new road. It's not that terribly exciting.
I'll wait then. I want to take the car on a trip that's about 50-100 miles in each direction first anyway to see how it does.
Quote from: CanesFan27 on December 06, 2011, 01:56:54 PM
Eh, I'll most likely will drive it on Saturday. More interested in how the Davis Drive interchange in 540 has been reconfigured.
I get to drive it tomorrow, yay! My understanding is that the Davis Drive/Kit Creek Road exit is permanently closed and those ramps are now for the interchange with NC 147. 147 will have an interchange with Davis Drive north of 540, which really stinks for people needing to go south on Davis. Supposedly there is not enough room to safely accommodate an exit there for Davis or Kit Creek. The good news is that 540 will not be tolled until the next section to Holly Springs opens sometime next year.
They are also planning the "Triangle Connector", which will connect 147 with I-85 via US 70. Looks like it'll join the current freeway portion of US 70 and build a new freeway to 147 between exits 8 (Ellis Rd.) and 10 (Briggs Ave.). http://www.letsgetmoving.org/priorities/connector/ (http://www.letsgetmoving.org/priorities/connector/)
Hoping that they pull an ICC and temporarily remove tolls on the entire road for a few weeks when the second part opens.
To all in regular toll land if the photo toll works here, don't be surprised if it shows up in your area soon. Hey VA, won't be surprised if 95 is the next one with this toll system. :hmmm:
Maggie drove it yesterday on her way home from Durham. She made an interesting point. Instead of 40-147 and the usual backup's at that tie in and through RTP, she suggested that 147 to NC 540 to I-40 may be a good alternative (even with the tolls) for when I-40 is backed up.
Thoughts?
Will only drive it when it is free and I need to, being that I am in Durham and really close to work, no need to drive it.
I'm just a bit curious here, what was the original plan for NC 147 southwest of I-40? I note that when that interchange was first built, the NC 147 roadway stubs pointed due southwest and now the extended roadway runs more towards the southeast.
Mike
It's pretty much following the original plan. The curve was built as a means to connect to TW Alexander. The right of way for 147 was always preserved within RTP.
Are there still plans to take something southeast from the 147-540 interchange?
Quote from: NE2 on December 09, 2011, 03:36:45 PM
Are there still plans to take something southeast from the 147-540 interchange?
There are paved stubs to continue southeast, so they are ready to continue into Cary someday.
My friend Chris Allen, was on the TriEx yesterday, and noticed a few things. One where 147 and 540 meet will be where 540 goes from east/west to North/south. Also, he covers briefly the proposed extension of McCrimmon Parkway to the Triangle Expressway. The ramps that NE2 refers to.
http://actionallen.blogspot.com/2011/12/triangle-parkway.html
If a proposal to go in Cary is ever aired they'll fight it tooth and nail. It would be nice though, it would get them off of 40.
Quote from: goobnav on December 08, 2011, 07:57:02 PM
To all in regular toll land if the photo toll works here, don't be surprised if it shows up in your area soon. Hey VA, won't be surprised if 95 is the next one with this toll system. :hmmm:
And then it'll spread up and down the East Coast, and perhaps across the rest of the country! With booth-free toll roads, the future has already arrived.
Blog Entry on the new NC 147 with photos:
http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/2011/12/tour-of-triangle-expressway.html
Flickr set with more:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adamontheroad/sets/72157628373407041/
NCDOT also has a virtual tour/promotion video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To005X91G7A
My relatives are going to think I'm weird when I drive up to the Tri-Ex to try it out when I'm visiting. Hey I can't pass up a freebie ride and fresh pavement! That and I don't have a Quickpass, hopefully they get the E-ZPass interoperability worked out when the Western Wake Parkway opens.
When are you visiting? Tolls don't go into effect until January.
Bob Malme with a belated construction photo update from this past October.
http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/2011/12/triangle-expressway-construction.html
Hopefully I'll make it up that way tomorrow and check out the new highway.
News & Observer:
First-day numbers for first NC toll road: 4,400 paying customers (http://blogs.newsobserver.com/crosstown/first-day-numbers-for-first-nc-toll-road-4400-paying-customers)
Toll rates are too high. They might get more when the 540 extension reaches US 64 in August but, the toll rates even with the QuickPass is high.
That's cheaper than most toll roads nowadays.
True, but, people are so used to not paying tolls here. The road is fiercely contested, especially since the other part of 540 is free but, that might change for future expansion projects.
The other comparison is 485 in Charlotte being completed w/o tolls, people here don't like being second fiddle to the Queen city in highway dollars.
The toll is fiercely contested - no one here has doubted the need for the road. In fact, people are wanting to preserve the original routing of the road from Holly Springs to Garner.
Actually, more folks in Charlotte feel that they are second fiddle for highway dollars. The feeling in Charlotte is that Raleigh is building their second loop. That the Eastern Part of the state gets more favoritism than Charlotte.
I have yet to see anyone in Raleigh say that Charlotte is getting better roads or money than Raleigh. It's always been Charlotte complaining about Raleigh.
Here is the 485 v. 540 issue. We got tolls, Charlotte got a public/private program with no tolls:
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/6380091/
I am well aware of Perdue's speeding up the completion of I-485 and the toll vs. non-toll issue. Which many will argue was all political.
http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/search/label/Interstate%20485
http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/search/label/Triangle%20Expressway
Charlotte also had 80+% of their outer loop completed while here in Raleigh it's what less than 50%. I live in Eastern Wake County - the only way I will see 540 be connected to I-40 will be if they have tolls otherwise it will be at least until 2035. The people that are complaining about the tolls here in Raleigh, they should point more to Fayetteville which is seeing more of their loop being built without tolls or Wilmington or Greensboro.
But no one has said that Charlotte is getting better roads or more money. It has always been the opposite. And folks from Charlotte will argue that they have two planned toll roads versus one from Raleigh.
What I am saying is people are going to complain about the tolls no matter what the situation. There's never been backlash on the need of the road or even the route.
Believe me I am not arguing the road or the route. I used to live in Knightdale and commuted to Durham, moved in 2008.
I went to State from Knightdale before the 64 bypass was built and dreaded the traffic.
I wanted to see I-640 but, as we know that will never be in our lifetimes.
I just came up with another fictional, see my post there.
Quote from: CanesFan27 on January 05, 2012, 05:57:29 PM
I am well aware of Perdue's speeding up the completion of I-485 and the toll vs. non-toll issue. Which many will argue was all political.
http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/search/label/Interstate%20485
http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/search/label/Triangle%20Expressway
Charlotte also had 80+% of their outer loop completed while here in Raleigh it's what less than 50%. I live in Eastern Wake County - the only way I will see 540 be connected to I-40 will be if they have tolls otherwise it will be at least until 2035. The people that are complaining about the tolls here in Raleigh, they should point more to Fayetteville which is seeing more of their loop being built without tolls or Wilmington or Greensboro.
But no one has said that Charlotte is getting better roads or more money. It has always been the opposite. And folks from Charlotte will argue that they have two planned toll roads versus one from Raleigh.
What I am saying is people are going to complain about the tolls no matter what the situation. There's never been backlash on the need of the road or even the route.
I do agree with the post I quoted above plus...
Winston-Salem and Greensboro have their own little rivalry. When I-73/74 were first discussed yearsssssssss ago it was planned both would swing through Winston-Salem, before Greensboro wanted to have one of them (nevermind that Greensboro already had 2 interstates to Winston's 1) Then what happens, Greensboro's loop starts construction before Winston's, which had been talked about for quite a while.
Granted, there was a lot of backlash within Winston from property owners in the intended path, and with all the "studies" that had to be done, blah blah blah the W-S Beltline was placed last on NC's priority list, before it was moved up (the Eastern section, due to being I-74 corridor). Even still, it's only a 2 mile section moved up, to start in 2014, from Green 40 to US 158.
NIMBY's in Winston are still going to fight tooth and nail, can't see them giving up so easily.
Consider those baffling toll bills a warning (http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/02/14/1853584/road-worrier-consider-those-baffling.html)
QuoteElaine Petrone of Raleigh wants to know why she and her husband got bills in the mail from the N.C. Turnpike Authority, illustrated with photos of their license plates, for trips on N.C. 540 near Research Triangle Park.
QuoteThe bills were for $0.00.
Quote"I didn't see any signs that say this is a toll road," Petrone said. "It's a waste of resources to be running that thing you're not collecting tolls on, and sending out bills for zero dollars."
You know what I find baffling? The fact that people are concerned about the "intrusive way of collecting money." Do these people in that article who find the idea of taking a picture of your license plate and mailing you a bill never travel at all, and thus not realize that that's standard operating procedure on toll roads, or are they just stupid? Most people love the idea of open-road tolling since you don't have to stop.
As for being concerned about giving the state your credit card number, that is just absurd. There is a difference between, say, a sketchy website and the state government. And if they wanted it in the first place, I'm sure they would already have it, because I'm sure that person uses it to pay countless other bills.
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on February 25, 2012, 09:33:26 AM
You know what I find baffling? The fact that people are concerned about the "intrusive way of collecting money." Do these people in that article who find the idea of taking a picture of your license plate and mailing you a bill never travel at all, and thus not realize that that's standard operating procedure on toll roads, or are they just stupid? Most people love the idea of open-road tolling since you don't have to stop.
As for being concerned about giving the state your credit card number, that is just absurd. There is a difference between, say, a sketchy website and the state government. And if they wanted it in the first place, I'm sure they would already have it, because I'm sure that person uses it to pay countless other bills.
And the state government already has their Social Security number - we (perhaps grudgingly) give it to then at tax time and whenever a licensing issue of any kind (driving, professional, etc) comes up.
:rolleyes:
Mike
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on February 25, 2012, 09:33:26 AM
You know what I find baffling? The fact that people are concerned about the "intrusive way of collecting money." Do these people in that article who find the idea of taking a picture of your license plate and mailing you a bill never travel at all, and thus not realize that that's standard operating procedure on toll roads, or are they just stupid? Most people love the idea of open-road tolling since you don't have to stop.
As for being concerned about giving the state your credit card number, that is just absurd. There is a difference between, say, a sketchy website and the state government. And if they wanted it in the first place, I'm sure they would already have it, because I'm sure that person uses it to pay countless other bills.
There are plenty of people out there who believe that government is just too nosy. It's not about collecting toll money. It's the idea that someone in the government knows that these people were travelling on a certain road at a certain time of day. That's what they really have a problem with. They feel like they're under surveillance, something they feel should only happen to suspected criminals. If some people had their way there would be no such things as driver licenses or car inspections. They see it as an insult that the state requires them to prove that they can drive a car safely and that they can keep a car in good working order.
The FHWA is asking NCTA to take another look at the Red Corrido rfor the Garner Secton (US 401 to I-40) of the Triangle Expressway. Basically, study this route or we withdrawl funding.
http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/04/10/1991882/us-take-another-look-at-red-route.html#storylink=misearch
Quote from: CanesFan27 on April 17, 2012, 10:29:53 AM
The FHWA is asking NCTA to take another look at the Red Corrido rfor the Garner Secton (US 401 to I-40) of the Triangle Expressway. Basically, study this route or we withdrawl funding.
http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/04/10/1991882/us-take-another-look-at-red-route.html#storylink=misearch
Wonder if FHWA is carrying water for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency here?
In Maryland, we went through several rounds of this with the Md. 200 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maryland_Route_200) (ICC) toll road project over the past 20 years.
Staff from Corps and the EPA were
very much opposed to the longtime master-planned route, which crossed the upper reaches of the Paint Branch of the Anacostia River, and wanted the road re-routed north into the watershed of the Patuxent River, and this was studied as part of the environmental impact statement process that led to a Record of Decision in 2006. The northern alternative, as it was called, was ultimately rejected because the Patuxent River is a source of drinking water, while the Paint Branch is not - and because the route through the Paint Branch watershed had long been anticipated in land use plans as the route of a major highway, and the routing through the Patuxent watershed was never anticipated as a highway route.
Quote from: broadhurst04 on February 25, 2012, 06:14:22 PM
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on February 25, 2012, 09:33:26 AM
You know what I find baffling? The fact that people are concerned about the "intrusive way of collecting money." Do these people in that article who find the idea of taking a picture of your license plate and mailing you a bill never travel at all, and thus not realize that that's standard operating procedure on toll roads, or are they just stupid? Most people love the idea of open-road tolling since you don't have to stop.
As for being concerned about giving the state your credit card number, that is just absurd. There is a difference between, say, a sketchy website and the state government. And if they wanted it in the first place, I'm sure they would already have it, because I'm sure that person uses it to pay countless other bills.
There are plenty of people out there who believe that government is just too nosy. It's not about collecting toll money. It's the idea that someone in the government knows that these people were travelling on a certain road at a certain time of day. That's what they really have a problem with. They feel like they're under surveillance, something they feel should only happen to suspected criminals. If some people had their way there would be no such things as driver licenses or car inspections. They see it as an insult that the state requires them to prove that they can drive a car safely and that they can keep a car in good working order.
Exactly! If they want to know where I am, they should have to WORK for it. (And, have a constitutional reason for doing so.)
At the present time, I'm not as worried about the government doing something with the data but someone hacking in and stealing the information.
NewsObserver.com: Road Worrier: $37 in penalties assessed for $2.31 in late TriEx tolls (http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/04/16/2005908/a-few-dollars-in-late-triex-toll.html)
QuoteAfter Hicks and his wife were slow to pay for their first few trips, worth $2.31 on the Triangle Expressway, the N.C. Turnpike Authority was quick to hit them with a civil penalty and late fees worth $37.
QuoteWith no cash collection plazas to slow the driver down, it will be easier in the future for any driver in your household to use a toll road without really recognizing that a bill will show up later in your mailbox. So if the letter says N.C. Quick Pass, you might want to open it.
ouch!
the one time I ran through a toll, it was with a rental car - so the letter took a while to get to me. Hertz had simply put the bill, addressed to them, in their envelope and forwarded it to me. No administration fee.
I called up the authority (whoever runs Denver's E-470) and they kindly debited my credit card 75 cents.
NewsObserver.com: Road Worrier: TriEx transponder problems take toll on drivers (http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/04/30/2035590/triex-transponder-problems-take.html)
QuoteTriangle commuters who are learning to live with a new-technology toll road have been hit this spring by waves of perplexing messages from the N.C. Turnpike Authority.
QuoteFirst, the agency sent baffling bills to hundreds of its non-customers, telling them they owe nothing for driving on part of the 540 Outer Loop that is not under toll — yet.
QuoteNext, the Turnpike Authority tacked late fees and $25 civil penalties onto bills sent to other drivers using the Triangle Expressway, telling them they'd better pay promptly — even for toll bills of less than $1.
TOLLROADSnews: North Carolina motorists "baffled" and "perplexed" by marketing? (http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/5912)
I received the following email from NC Quick Pass on Friday. I've been a supporter of the toll road since I first moved here, but they've really handled this poorly. Bad customer relations (blaming the customer for being charged on a free road?) isn't going to improve their lousy numbers so far. The road is virtually empty every time I travel on it, and I can't see that many people using it to bypass 55 down to 64. Courtesy emails would be nice when a transponder doesn't read properly. Or, my pet peeve, an email when they automatically replenish your account from your attached credit/debit card would be much appreciated. Is this par for the course as far as toll authorities go?
Dear XXX,
Please do not reply to this message. This is an automatically generated notification.
NC Quick Pass would like to thank you again for your enrollment in our program and for allowing us to serve you. To assure your account does not incur additional fees we would like to remind you to please keep your transponder properly mounted at all times. The electronic toll collection rate you receive by using a transponder is much lower due to the efficiencies of the transponder technology. Not having your transponder properly mounted will result in a much higher occurrence of it not being detected on the toll road.
When your transponder is not detected, an image of your license plate must be obtained and processed which is much less efficient and more costly to NC Quick Pass. Therefore per the terms and conditions you agreed to upon account opening, you may be charged an additional fee of $5.00 every month that 15 percent of your transactions are identified though your license plate and not transponder.
Although the toll rate on NC 540 is $0.00 through July 2012, the toll collection system must still process the transaction in the same manner. Therefore, if your transponder is not detected, even for a $0.00 toll, you may still be charged the $5.00 fee.
If your transponder is properly mounted and you still receive a $5 fee, please contact the NC Quick Pass Customer Service Center via phone, email or stop by our storefront.
Sincerely
NC Quick Pass
Customer Service Center
Quote from: HazMatt on May 08, 2012, 12:16:04 AM
I received the following email from NC Quick Pass on Friday. I've been a supporter of the toll road since I first moved here, but they've really handled this poorly. Bad customer relations (blaming the customer for being charged on a free road?) isn't going to improve their lousy numbers so far. The road is virtually empty every time I travel on it, and I can't see that many people using it to bypass 55 down to 64. Courtesy emails would be nice when a transponder doesn't read properly. Or, my pet peeve, an email when they automatically replenish your account from your attached credit/debit card would be much appreciated. Is this par for the course as far as toll authorities go?
The Maryland Transportation Authority (which operates the new Md. 200 (ICC) all-electronic toll road) did something similar last year during the two week "test drive" period when no tolls were charged. I think notices were sent to owners of vehicles that did not have an E-ZPass transponder detected (E-ZPass users were not notified like this, but the trips on the road were shown on monthly statements with the toll amount being zero).
Yes, the customer is always wrong is not usually a winning promotional strategy.
Not going to help the Turnpike Authority either that the NC 147/Triangle Parkway section does not exist according to the new 2013 Rand McNally Atlas.
Quote from: HazMatt on May 08, 2012, 12:16:04 AM
When your transponder is not detected, an image of your license plate must be obtained and processed which is much less efficient and more costly to NC Quick Pass. Therefore per the terms and conditions you agreed to upon account opening, you may be charged an additional fee of $5.00 every month that 15 percent of your transactions are identified though your license plate and not transponder.
Although the toll rate on NC 540 is $0.00 through July 2012, the toll collection system must still process the transaction in the same manner. Therefore, if your transponder is not detected, even for a $0.00 toll, you may still be charged the $5.00 fee.
If your transponder is properly mounted and you still receive a $5 fee, please contact the NC Quick Pass Customer Service Center via phone, email or stop by our storefront.
Sincerely
NC Quick Pass
Customer Service Center
I think this can get cleared up pretty quickly by a few calls. After all, if you didn't have E-ZPass at all, wouldn't your fee have been $0 even through video tolling? In other words, they charged you for the privilege of having an account. If they would have charged video toll users $5, that's one thing and then you have less of a leg to stand on. But right now, I think you have a good case.
So according to an e-newsletter I just received, it appears that Phase II of the TriEx (from NC 55 - Apex to US 64) will open on August 1st. Tolls will start on August 2nd.
Phase III from (US 64 to NC 55 - Holly Springs) will open in January 2013.
They hope that you will be able to use your NC EZPass in other states by the end of the year.
Quote from: CanesFan27 on June 27, 2012, 11:41:33 AM
So according to an e-newsletter I just received, it appears that Phase II of the TriEx (from NC 55 - Apex to US 64) will open on August 1st. Tolls will start on August 2nd.
Phase III from (US 64 to NC 55 - Holly Springs) will open in January 2013.
They hope that you will be able to use your NC EZPass in other states by the end of the year.
Going to miss it by a month (I'll be there next week). Hopefully its all done while I'm there for the holidays and E-ZPass is accepted by then.
News & Observer: Commuters eager for toll-road alternative to the daily slog on N.C. 55 (http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/07/09/2189249/road-worrier-commuters-eager-for.html)
QuoteN.C. 55 is the primary north-south road through the busy shopping centers and lush subdivisions of western Wake County. It hasn't kept up with the region's relentless growth over the past 20 years.
QuoteMostly a five-lane run except for a two-lane bottleneck where it squeezes through the center of Apex, N.C. 55 struggles under the load of 30,000 cars and trucks each day. Speed limits change from 45 to 50 mph — but with traffic signals every half-mile, the usual rush-hour pace is stop-and-crawl.
QuoteWhen the third leg of TriEx opens in December, extending 540 another 6 miles farther south to Holly Springs, it will complete a long-awaited alternative for western Wake commuters who are willing to pay for relief from N.C. 55 congestion.
Quote from: cpzilliacus on July 10, 2012, 12:55:20 PM
News & Observer: Commuters eager for toll-road alternative to the daily slog on N.C. 55 (http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/07/09/2189249/road-worrier-commuters-eager-for.html)
QuoteN.C. 55 is the primary north-south road through the busy shopping centers and lush subdivisions of western Wake County. It hasn't kept up with the region's relentless growth over the past 20 years.
QuoteMostly a five-lane run except for a two-lane bottleneck where it squeezes through the center of Apex, N.C. 55 struggles under the load of 30,000 cars and trucks each day. Speed limits change from 45 to 50 mph — but with traffic signals every half-mile, the usual rush-hour pace is stop-and-crawl.
QuoteWhen the third leg of TriEx opens in December, extending 540 another 6 miles farther south to Holly Springs, it will complete a long-awaited alternative for western Wake commuters who are willing to pay for relief from N.C. 55 congestion.
Interesting article and some of the comments as well. I took a tour of the NC 55 to US 64 portion of the TriEx on Sunday. Looks close to opening (construction vehicles certainly had no problem traveling the 6 mile stretch). All the lane markings and signs seemed to have been installed. They're still doing some work at the 2 interchanges. I plan to post photos on a blog post soon. For those with exit lists, the US 64 number is 59(A/B), Green Level West will be 62.
Quote from: bob7374 on July 10, 2012, 10:05:40 PM
Interesting article and some of the comments as well. I took a tour of the NC 55 to US 64 portion of the TriEx on Sunday. Looks close to opening (construction vehicles certainly had no problem traveling the 6 mile stretch). All the lane markings and signs seemed to have been installed. They're still doing some work at the 2 interchanges. I plan to post photos on a blog post soon. For those with exit lists, the US 64 number is 59(A/B), Green Level West will be 62.
The blog entry for my Sunday TriEx trip is now up: http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/2012/07/another-sunday-triex-trip.html (http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/2012/07/another-sunday-triex-trip.html)
The second phase of the TriEx opened today (NC 540 from NC 55 south to US 64) and here's my photo set from the drive that six of us did this evening.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adamontheroad/sets/72157630863048434/
The Road Worrier, Bruce Siceloff, in NewsObserver.com: So many toll-road transponders, so little TriEx traffic (http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/09/11/2333036/road-worrier-so-many-toll-road.html)
QuoteTriangle drivers are buying lots of electronic toll transponders and setting up business accounts with the N.C. Turnpike Authority, but they aren't doing lots of driving on the new electronic toll road.
QuoteNot yet, anyway.
QuoteTraffic counts for the Triangle Expressway have lagged below expectations since early August, when the six-lane expressway was expanded beyond the first 3.4 miles that opened last December in Research Triangle Park. Now drivers also pay to use a 2.8-mile section of 540 that had been toll-free for five years, and a new 6.8-mile stretch of 540 from RTP to U.S. 64 at Apex.
More from the Road Worrier, Bruce Siceloff, in NewsObserver.com: TriEx drivers charged more for late fees than for tolls (http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/10/08/2399690/road-worrier-triex-drivers-charged.html)
Road Worrier, Bruce Siceloff, in NewsObserver.com: Federal funding cut, state law challenged on NC 540 Red Route (http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/12/11/2539339/federal-funding-cut-state-law.html)
QuoteGARNER -- Federal regulators have cut off funding for a proposed six-lane toll road across southern Wake County, after rejecting arguments that they could approve it without studying an unpopular alternative route through Garner that has been outlawed by the General Assembly.
QuoteThe road project may be dead unless state law is changed.
QuoteProdded by the Garner Town Council, the legislature voted last year to prohibit the state Department of Transportation from even studying the so-called Red Route for the Triangle Expressway. It would bulldoze Garner homes, churches, parks and businesses to extend the 540 Outer Loop from Holly Springs to Interstate 40.
NCDOT hasn't said anything about the rest of NC-540 opening, but I noticed that the timetable page has changed the project open date to December 20th (it said December 31st two days ago). Still no word on the toll rates though.
http://www.westernwakeinfo.com/progress_schedule.html
Quote from: NJRoadfan on December 14, 2012, 06:09:31 PM
NCDOT hasn't said anything about the rest of NC-540 opening, but I noticed that the timetable page has changed the project open date to December 20th (it said December 31st two days ago). Still no word on the toll rates though.
http://www.westernwakeinfo.com/progress_schedule.html
Still no word on North Carolina accepting E-ZPass on its toll roads either.
Quote from: NJRoadfan on December 14, 2012, 06:09:31 PM
NCDOT hasn't said anything about the rest of NC-540 opening, but I noticed that the timetable page has changed the project open date to December 20th (it said December 31st two days ago). Still no word on the toll rates though.
http://www.westernwakeinfo.com/progress_schedule.html
N&O Road Worrier Bruce Siceloff: TriEx opens Thursday from Apex to Holly Springs; tolls start Jan. 2 (http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/12/17/2550611/road-worrier-triex-opens-thursday.html)
QuoteThe third and final leg of the Triangle Expressway will open at 6 a.m. Thursday from Apex to Holly Springs, giving commuters a two-week, toll-free tryout before electronic toll collection starts Jan. 2.
QuoteThis six-mile section provides a long-awaited alternative to N.C. 55 through Apex, which has the worst rush-hour congestion in western Wake County. It extends the 540 Outer Loop south from U.S. 64 at Apex to N.C. 55 at Holly Springs, with exits at Old U.S. 1 (Salem Street) and U.S. 1. The completed toll road now reaches 18.8 miles from Interstate 40 in Research Triangle Park to Holly Springs.
QuoteJoyner said DOT officials expect to announce soon that drivers will be able to use E-ZPass transponders for their electronic transactions on the Triangle Expressway. E-ZPass is a consortium of toll agencies in 14 northeastern states, from Virginia to Maine to Illinois.
QuoteMany Triangle commuters have postponed purchase of separate N.C. Quick Pass transponders, hoping instead to pay for their TriEx travel with E-ZPass transponders.
QuoteThe Delaware-based E-ZPass Group has announced its intent to allow its 21 million transponder holders to use their E-ZPasses for TriEx trips, and also to accept payment on E-ZPass roads from North Carolina drivers who use the $20 "hard-case" version of the N.C. Quick Pass. Joyner and DOT officials say they expect to close the deal before Jan. 2.
NewsObserver.com: Toll rate increases postponed as traffic rolls on Triangle Expressway (http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/12/20/2557766/toll-rate-increases-postponed.html)
QuoteOn the day commuters began using the last six-mile leg of the Triangle Expressway, the N.C. Turnpike Authority agreed to postpone scheduled rate increases for the state's first modern toll road.
QuoteDrivers in southern Wake County began taking advantage of a 13-day opportunity to drive toll-free on the new section of TriEx from Holly Springs to Apex, which was opened to traffic early Thursday morning. Electronic toll collection starts Jan. 2.
QuoteDrivers already are paying tolls on the first two sections, more than 12 miles from Apex to Research Triangle Park, which opened earlier this year.
Was able to check out the new section of the TriEx on Christmas Eve:
Blog:
http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/2012/12/tour-of-phase-iii-of-triangle-expressway.html
Flickr Set (29 photos):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adamontheroad/sets/72157632342612752/
The overhead signs directing traffic to that road are gigantic.
That is a lot of information to get!
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm9.staticflickr.com%2F8498%2F8307999635_cd3f5bf91c_z.jpg&hash=eebe1e7e830180fca325759515ca978045dac122) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/adamontheroad/8307999635/)
IMG_6760 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/adamontheroad/8307999635/) by Adam's Journey (http://www.flickr.com/people/adamontheroad/), on Flickr
Nice photos :)
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on December 25, 2012, 09:06:54 PM
The overhead signs directing traffic to that road are gigantic.
I just mentioned this on the FB post...way too much for ONE highway. LOL
All those TO routes could be moved to an auxiliary sign.
Quote from: jcarte29 on December 26, 2012, 10:16:01 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on December 25, 2012, 09:06:54 PM
The overhead signs directing traffic to that road are gigantic.
I just mentioned this on the FB post...way too much for ONE highway. LOL
I believe that part of the numerous 'TO' listings is because 540 will hopefully be a full loop. And I think the NCTA is trying to promote using the toll road to reach various major highways in the area (US 64, NC 55, US 1). So they are listing all the possibilities on the sign. They have auxiliary signs for RDU Int'l Airport on US 1 (RDU Airport - Exit 93X).
Signs are somewhat smaller at I-540 interchanges but they do list 'TO US 70' or 'TO US 1' or even 'TO US 64' on overhead signs throughout North Raleigh & Knightdale.
In the photo Chris posted, what might the currently-blank third destination line be for in the future?
Quote from: Takumi on December 26, 2012, 12:09:51 PM
In the photo Chris posted, what might the currently-blank third destination line be for in the future?
garner maybe when it eventually wraps SE to I-40?
One non-MUTCD-compliant part of that sign: there's only one exit-only lane, not two.
Quote from: froggie on December 26, 2012, 06:48:47 PM
One non-MUTCD-compliant part of that sign: there's only one exit-only lane, not two.
Isn't that compliant with the latest MUTCD BS?
Quote from: NE2 on December 26, 2012, 07:10:37 PM
Quote from: froggie on December 26, 2012, 06:48:47 PM
One non-MUTCD-compliant part of that sign: there's only one exit-only lane, not two.
Isn't that compliant with the latest MUTCD BS?
Yes it is, unfortunately. Also, someone should submit that to the four shields on one sign thread. I would, but I don't care.
NCDOT press release: North Carolina's Quick Pass and E-ZPass Function as One in 2013 (https://apps.ncdot.gov/newsreleases/details.aspx?r=7532)
QuoteBeginning Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, drivers with an E-ZPass or NC Quick Pass hardcase transponder can travel in all E-ZPass states and North Carolina using their prepaid electronic toll collection account.
Quote"This is an exciting day for the people in 15 states and a monumental business agreement for the tolling industry," said E-ZPass Group's Executive Director PJ Wilkins.
I was on the highway today. The E-ZPass signs are already up! They most have posted them yesterday as they were definitely not up on Thursday.
TOLLROADSnews: Raleigh NC Triangle Expressway open over its full length, tolls begin Jan 2 2013 (http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/6335)
QuoteThe Triangle Expressway (TriEx), North Carolina's first modern era tollroad is now open over its full length and tolls will be collected beginning January 2, 2013. The opening of the third of three phases was Thursday December 20. The tollroad is mostly an extension counterclockwise of I-540 a partial belt route around the Raleigh metro area sharing the same 540 numbering (but as a state route not an interstate).
QuoteIn effect the TriEx is a north-south route on the western edge of the Raleigh metro area. The main section is 13 to 15 miles (21km to 24km) out from the center of Raleigh. The northern end is only a couple of miles away from the Raleigh Durham International Airport obviously a major generator of road trips along with the Research Triangle Park employment center. But traffic for the Expressway is heavily dependent on residential development on the western and southwestern portions of the metro area.
Quote from: cpzilliacus on December 30, 2012, 09:57:22 PM
TOLLROADSnews: Raleigh NC Triangle Expressway open over its full length, tolls begin Jan 2 2013
Hardly its full length, as far as the roadway is concerned. Though I haven't heard anything about whether the rest of 540 is supposed to be built as a toll extension or free bypass, I assume it would be tolled based on recent precedent. It may be called something other than Triangle Expwy., but it's essentially the same road.
Quote from: Steve on December 31, 2012, 05:50:54 PM
Quote from: cpzilliacus on December 30, 2012, 09:57:22 PM
TOLLROADSnews: Raleigh NC Triangle Expressway open over its full length, tolls begin Jan 2 2013
Hardly its full length, as far as the roadway is concerned. Though I haven't heard anything about whether the rest of 540 is supposed to be built as a toll extension or free bypass, I assume it would be tolled based on recent precedent. It may be called something other than Triangle Expwy., but it's essentially the same road.
As best as I understand it, significant parts of what might run beyond U.S. 1 are hung up in environmental clearance controversies between federal environmental regulators, the state of North Carolina, and local government(s) along the proposed route(s).
One significant reform to NEPA should be a requirement that federal environmental regulators MUST respect on-the-record planning decisions made by state and local elected officials and their planning processes.
Quote from: CanesFan27 on December 25, 2012, 08:20:18 PM
Was able to check out the new section of the TriEx on Christmas Eve:
Blog:
http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/2012/12/tour-of-phase-iii-of-triangle-expressway.html
Did you see my comment on the blog about the US-1 exit number(s)?
If you want a unique should I use it/should I not perspective on the Triangle Expressway - this is a great read.
http://actionallen.blogspot.com/2012/12/triangle-expressway-now-will-i-take-it.html
News and Observer's Road Worrier (Bruce Siceloff): DOT hasn't posted the TriEx toll rates. So here they are. (http://blogs.newsobserver.com/crosstown/dot-hasnt-posted-the-triex-toll-rates-so-here-they-are)
I should have a video of the entire northbound length of NC-540 soon. The biggest issue with this road is going to be at it's southern terminus with NC-55. The interchange with way underpowered and will likely backup. The N-N loop is tight, and the ramp to 55 south is basically a glorified right turn that dumps you in front of a traffic light. NC for some reason likes to half-bake their interchanges with expressway/arterials. I-540 and US-1 in North Raleigh is another fine example of this, and they also had plenty of room to build a proper 4 way high speed interchange there.
Nice video. I was trying to understand the one part where she asked if you were "zapped" or if you had a transponder. I'm guessing it was your g/f and/or wife?
The only other question I had was the reason for naming it NC 540 and not future I-540, does it have anything to do with the designation as a toll???
Quote from: jcarte29 on January 10, 2013, 12:49:45 AM
Nice video. I was trying to understand the one part where she asked if you were "zapped" or if you had a transponder. I'm guessing it was your g/f and/or wife?
No, just a family member who was bored. I have E-ZPass in the car, you can see it mounted on the windshield near the beginning of the video. Seeing that the agreement to take E-ZPass wasn't in place at the time, I will likely not be billed by mail as NC currently doesn't pull NJ registration data to send out bills. (not that it would matter anyway, the car had a temporary tag on it which I know they can't read)
Looks like I'm, not the only person who found that NC-55 southbound ramp a little too tight:
http://www.wral.com/sharp-merge-worries-some-triangle-expressway-drivers/11959783/
That ramp really should be a high speed slip ramp, not that joke they built.
Looks like only the Hardcase and exterior QuickPass Transmitter can go outside of North Carolina into the tolled I-495 HOT Lanes in Virginia, and the I-95 NJ Turnpike in New Jersey or the I-78 toll bridge in Williams Township, PA, but the stickertag will only work in the Triangle Expressway link is https://www.myncquickpass.com/en/about/rates.shtml (https://www.myncquickpass.com/en/about/rates.shtml) or https://www.myncquickpass.com/en/faq/all.shtml (https://www.myncquickpass.com/en/faq/all.shtml)
Quote from: Interstatefan78 on January 21, 2013, 07:17:49 PM
Looks like only the Hardcase and exterior QuickPass Transmitter can go outside of North Carolina into the tolled I-495 HOT Lanes in Virginia, and the I-95 NJ Turnpike in New Jersey or the I-78 toll bridge in Williams Township, PA, but the stickertag will only work in the Triangle Expressway link is https://www.myncquickpass.com/en/about/rates.shtml (https://www.myncquickpass.com/en/about/rates.shtml) or https://www.myncquickpass.com/en/faq/all.shtml (https://www.myncquickpass.com/en/faq/all.shtml)
That is correct. But I think that the folks in North Carolina have made it pretty clear that the sticker tags are only usable on in-state toll roads (and for now, that means the Tri-Ex only).
Quote from: cpzilliacus on January 21, 2013, 08:58:50 PM
Quote from: Interstatefan78 on January 21, 2013, 07:17:49 PM
Looks like only the Hardcase and exterior QuickPass Transmitter can go outside of North Carolina into the tolled I-495 HOT Lanes in Virginia, and the I-95 NJ Turnpike in New Jersey or the I-78 toll bridge in Williams Township, PA, but the stickertag will only work in the Triangle Expressway link is https://www.myncquickpass.com/en/about/rates.shtml (https://www.myncquickpass.com/en/about/rates.shtml) or https://www.myncquickpass.com/en/faq/all.shtml (https://www.myncquickpass.com/en/faq/all.shtml)
That is correct. But I think that the folks in North Carolina have made it pretty clear that the sticker tags are only usable on in-state toll roads (and for now, that means the Tri-Ex only).
Maybe the NJ/PA/DE Turnpikes need an E-Z Pass transmitter that can read nc Quickpass sticker tags and this will allow sticker tags to roam the toll roads of NJ/NY/PA/MD, and DE that currently accept E-Z Pass or quickpass hardcase tags, but starting in mid 2013 this problem might be harder because NC Quickpass, and FL Sunpass use sticker tags which the E-Z Pass transponders can't read
Quote from: Interstatefan78 on January 22, 2013, 02:18:16 PM
Quote from: cpzilliacus on January 21, 2013, 08:58:50 PM
Quote from: Interstatefan78 on January 21, 2013, 07:17:49 PM
Looks like only the Hardcase and exterior QuickPass Transmitter can go outside of North Carolina into the tolled I-495 HOT Lanes in Virginia, and the I-95 NJ Turnpike in New Jersey or the I-78 toll bridge in Williams Township, PA, but the stickertag will only work in the Triangle Expressway link is https://www.myncquickpass.com/en/about/rates.shtml (https://www.myncquickpass.com/en/about/rates.shtml) or https://www.myncquickpass.com/en/faq/all.shtml (https://www.myncquickpass.com/en/faq/all.shtml)
That is correct. But I think that the folks in North Carolina have made it pretty clear that the sticker tags are only usable on in-state toll roads (and for now, that means the Tri-Ex only).
Maybe the NJ/PA/DE Turnpikes need an E-Z Pass transmitter that can read nc Quickpass sticker tags and this will allow sticker tags to roam the toll roads of NJ/NY/PA/MD, and DE that currently accept E-Z Pass or quickpass hardcase tags, but starting in mid 2013 this problem might be harder because NC Quickpass, and FL Sunpass use sticker tags which the E-Z Pass transponders can't read
As I understand it, an agreement to honor "other" transponders in the E-ZPass Group member states must apply to all member states (North Carolina is an affiliate member).
News & Observer: N.C. Turnpike Authority double-bills hundreds of E-ZPass toll road drivers (http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/01/31/2644222/nc-turnpike-authority-double-bills.html)
QuoteRALEIGH -- At least 800 drivers on the Triangle Expressway have been double-billed this month, paying electronic tolls twice for every trip, the N.C. Turnpike Authority says.
QuoteAnd at least one of them was billed three different ways, for the same trip.
QuoteDane Berglund, who runs the turnpike customer service center in Morrisville, blames the errors on drivers who have two transponders in their cars — an N.C. Quick Pass, designed for North Carolina's toll road, and an E-ZPass, used to pay for trips on toll roads in 14 states from Virginia to Maine and Illinois.
I wasn't billed on my E-ZPass account for any of the trips I took prior to Jan 3rd. I never received any bill by mail invoices either Next time I'm there, I'll do a run without E-ZPass and see what happens. Curious how their billing will handle that.