As 2024 comes to a close, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission celebrates a year of major progress on “America’s First Superhighway” while also looking ahead to one of the biggest changes since the PA Turnpike opened in 1940.

“I am proud that the Pennsylvania Turnpike continues to be an organization that isn’t afraid to reinvent how we do business, transform who we are to our customers and re-imagine our place in the communities we connect,” said Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary and PA Turnpike Commission Chair Mike Carroll. “Modernization and innovation are at the foundation of what we’ve done since 1940 and I know that our 1,300 talented and committed employees continue to lead the transformation of our historic highway.”

From Jan. 1 through Nov. 30, the PA Turnpike has seen more than 193 million customers use our more than 565-miles of roadway, a 0.6% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

Customers prefer mobile payment options through the PA Turnpike’s on-the-go account management app, PA Toll Pay, which hit 2.4 million downloads this year. Furthering its commitment to customer convenience, the PA Turnpike added Google Pay and Apple Pay for seamless and convenient mobility.

Through expanded payment options, AutoPay for Toll By Plate users, the Kubra cash payment network, QR codes on invoices and a smartphone app, the PA Turnpike has been committed to making it as easy as possible to settle toll charges.

Maintenance

In 2024, the PA Turnpike spent more than $286 million in roadway maintenance and improvements to modernize the Turnpike including resurfacing more than 28 miles of roadway and undertaking total reconstruction of 27 miles (including the MP 102-109 project which opened to six-lanes in August). All work at the PA Turnpike is a direct investment of toll dollars.

The PA Turnpike is focusing on toll collection performance, investing in advanced technologies and working with the Legislature to support bills that crack down on customers who are choosing not to pay their invoices. The PA Turnpike has collected more than $32 million in unpaid tolls and fees for drivers who were in violation of paying their tolls.

Open Road Tolling

As it prepares for 2025, the PA Turnpike is beginning with the launch of open road tolling.

In the ORT system, tolls are charged electronically as customers drive at highway speeds beneath overhead structures, called gantries, without slowing down or stopping at toll booths. Equipment on the gantry and in the roadway classifies and identifies the vehicle and electronically processes tolls, allowing for free-flowing traffic: which reduces accidents, improves the environment, and allows new access points.

“Heading into our 85th year, the Pennsylvania Turnpike remains in growth mode,” said PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “Open Road Tolling is just one way we’re evolving to ensure this progress continues. Each day, our employees strive to deliver a premium service for those living, working and visiting our Commonwealth and we will continue to work to be the best for our customers.”

ORT will launch on the mainline PA Turnpike east of Reading along with the Northeast Extension beginning Jan. 5 and statewide in January 2027. Due to the additional standardization and vehicle classification changes, nearly 50% of passenger car trips will see a lower toll rate in 2025 compared to what they pay today.

About 84% of E-ZPass and 74% of Toll by Plate trips will see a toll cut or an increase of under $1 in 2025 and about 70% of commercial vehicles will see an increase of $5 or less.

The PA Turnpike is also scheduled to open two total reconstruction projects in 2025 that will provide six lanes of travel with widened median and outside shoulders between mileposts 126-131 on the mainline Turnpike in Somerset and Bedford Counties and mileposts A38-44 on the Northeast Extension in Montgomery and Bucks Counties.