MassDOT, State Police Launch I-90 Toll Plaza Safety Awareness Campaign

MassDOT, State Police Launch I-90 Toll Plaza Safety Awareness Campaign

Drivers reminded of 15 MPH speed limit through toll plazas

BOSTON – Monday, October 19, 2015 – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Massachusetts State Police today launched a Toll Plaza Safety Awareness Campaign calling attention to enhanced safety measures currently in place at toll plazas across the Commonwealth.

The campaign was launched following the tragic death of a MassDOT toll collector in July.  The campaign includes public service announcements on message boards, posters at E-ZPass toll lanes, and the distribution of speed limit reminder tear-sheets to commuters at the “Cash Only” toll booths.  The principal focus of the campaign is to raise public awareness of the posted speed limit at toll plazas, and to ensure a safe work environment for the toll collectors who staff the plazas around the clock.

“Highway safety is our highest priority at MassDOT, both for drivers, but also for the men and women who staff our toll plazas, 24-hours a day, year round,” said MassDOT Highway Administrator Thomas J. Tinlin.  “This campaign highlights the need for drivers to pay careful attention to posted speed limit signs and other safety information when approaching and travelling through toll plazas.  We encourage travelers to be vigilant when driving through these areas to ensure the well-being of those who work at these locations and members of the public.” 

MassDOT has implemented safety improvements such as the installation of additional advanced 15 MPH speed limit signs strategically located before each toll booth, and reduced speed limit signs at the toll booths.  In addition, pavement markings immediately before each location have been refreshed.  The agency has also conducted a review of the lighting to make sure all equipment is fully operational in these areas.

“Through this campaign, we hope to remind motorists that safety is paramount when traveling through toll plazas on the Turnpike, as well as the Sumner and Ted Williams tunnels,” said State Police Major Terry Hanson, Troop E Commander.  “It is our goal that this campaign will prompt drivers to travel through toll plazas with an extra measure of care, and to raise awareness that the toll plazas are staffed 24/7.”

As a component of the campaign, State Police have also increased speed enforcement at toll plazas.  From Sept. 26 through Oct. 12, approximately 294 citations (Civil, Warning, and Criminal) have been written for violations which occurred in the E-ZPass lanes.  More than 1,200 citations have now been issued since Aug. 27.

For transportation news and updates visit MassDOT at our website: www.mass.gov/massdot, blog: www.mass.gov/blog/transportation, or follow MassDOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot.