The North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) is in the process of converting its system of toll roads, bridge and tunnels to all-electronic toll collection (all-ETC) facilities. The conversion is designed to provide customers with improved traffic flow, improved air quality, reduced travel times and enhanced safety. The current conversion project focuses on converting the existing President George Bush Turnpike (Bush Turnpike) on July 1, 2009. New projects, such as the Sam Rayburn Tollway, the Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge, Southwest Parkway and the President George Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension, are being built as all-ETC facilities.
You have questions, we have answers. This page was developed to answer the questions you have about the conversion of the Bush Turnpike to an all-ETC facility. Click on each of the links below to learn more about the all-ETC conversion.
WHAT IS ALL-ETC?
HOW DOES IT HAPPEN?
WHEN DOES IT HAPPEN?
WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
(Glossary of terms)
I WANT TO KNOW...
(Frequently asked questions)
WHAT ABOUT THE DALLAS NORTH TOLLWAY?
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Description: |
A cashless system of toll collection that utilizes technology (transponders and video equipment) to track and bill toll road drivers |
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Status: |
Planning |
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PGBT Switchover Date: |
July 1, 2009 |
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Last Updated: |
April 2009 |
Project Manager: Tim Reilly
E-mail: projects@ntta.org
Public Involvement: Amanda Lehde, (972) 628-3111
WHAT IS ALL-ETC?
Electronic toll collection (ETC) refers to technology that collects toll payments electronically. An ETC system can identify a vehicle as it passes through a toll plaza and determine if the vehicle matches a pre-existing account, such as a TollTag account.
All-electronic toll collection (all-ETC) refers to a toll system, or toll road, that has no cash toll booths. Technology on all-ETC roads matches vehicles with TollTag accounts. If no account exists, a ZipCash account is created to bill the registered owner of the vehicle for the trip.
All-ETC roads provide added convenience for drivers, who no longer have to slow down to pay or look for change. Drivers can choose to pay in advance and receive a 45 percent lower rate by using TollTags or pay after their trip via a ZipCash account, which will generate a mailed invoice after several transactions have occurred.
Bush Turnpike transition to all-ETC video 7.62 MB (Low-resolution)
Bush Turnpike transition to all-ETC video 29.7 MB (High-resolution - May take longer to download)
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HOW DOES IT HAPPEN?
The transition of the existing President George Bush Turnpike (Bush Turnpike) to an all-electronic toll collection (all-ETC) facility requires installing new equipment, setting barricades and changing signage along the entire length of the road. Most of the work occurs around the main lane plazas and ramp plazas. Use of existing structures limits construction activities. The installation of equipment for ZipCash toll collection began early this year and will continue through July 1, 2009, when the Bush Turnpike makes the switch.
Some lane reconfiguration at main lane plazas is required to ensure that everyone can “Keep Moving.” This work will begin in May 2009 with removal and replacement of striping. Most of the lane-level work requires minimal lane closures, which will occur during off-peak and evening hours. The reconfiguration will allow for an additional lane at some main lane plazas to accommodate entrance and exit ramps at those plazas. On July 1, 2009, the existing cash lanes will be barricaded and all traffic will travel through the express lanes.
 
Before After
Similar changes also are planned for the ramp plazas. On July 1, 2009, the left lane at each ramp will be closed and all traffic will proceed through the outside or right-hand lanes.
 
Before After
Construction and equipment installation prior to July 1, 2009, will use all safety precautions. We ask our customers to be aware of construction signage and to be careful when traveling through any construction area.
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WHEN DOES IT HAPPEN?
Work has already begun to prepare for the transition of the President George Bush Turnpike (Bush Turnpike) to all-electronic toll collection (all-ETC) on July 1, 2009. Equipment installation and removal will continue through June. Construction work, including temporary barricade placement and lane reconfiguration, will begin in May and continue through June. The installation of new signage will also take place in May and June.
On the night of June 30, 2009, crews will move from one end of the Bush Turnpike to the other, barricading the cash toll lanes and removing the temporary coverings from previously placed signs. On July 1, 2009, customers traveling on the Bush Turnpike will not be able to stop at any toll booth to pay a toll. All traffic will travel through the express lanes at the main lane plazas and the outside lane at ramp plazas.
After the switch, some minimal construction will remain as crews replace the temporary barricades at the ramp plazas with permanent barriers.
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WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?
All-electronic toll collection (all-ETC) is quickly rising in popularity across the country because of the advancements in technology and its many benefits to the toll road customer. The benefits of the all-ETC conversion of NTTA facilities includes time savings, convenience, increased safety, improved air quality and fuel efficiency, which translates to cost savings.
Time Savings and Convenience
The switch to all-ETC will streamline all traffic onto express lanes with no stopping to pay tolls and weaving into and out of traffic. The first NTTA road to eliminate the cash lanes and toll booths is the President George Bush Turnpike on July 1, 2009. All motorists – regardless of payment type – will drive on the same lanes.
TollTag customers should not notice a difference. TollTag customers’ transactions will be tracked on their accounts and will continue to benefit from the lowest rates on the NTTA System.
ZipCash customers (customers without a transponder) will be able to drive now and pay later. ZipCash customers will be billed for their transactions in the mail at the 45 percent higher ZipCash rate.
Safety
Motorists’ ability to drive in any lane will eliminate the weaving taking place around the toll booths. Weaving, or frequent lane changes, is one of the main contributors to congestion on all roads. By eliminating the weaving around the traditional cash booths, all motorists on the NTTA system will experience improved mobility, enhanced safety and extended fuel efficiency.
Air Quality and Fuel Efficiency
Constant starting and stopping of vehicles adds to air pollution. Transitioning to all-ETC will eliminate the stopping, starting and idling associated with cash toll lanes. By promoting a continuous flow of traffic at consistent speeds, the NTTA promotes air quality in the region.
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WHAT ABOUT THE DALLAS NORTH TOLLWAY?
The NTTA will be postponing the transition to all-electronic toll collection (all-ETC) on the Dallas North Tollway (DNT) until 2011 so that we are able to gather more information about motorists’ response to all-ETC prior to converting the NTTA's busiest roadway. Using this information, NTTA can develop plans to mitigate an adverse impact on our customers.
As responsible stewards of NTTA resources, we believe it is prudent to delay the $40 million expenditures to convert the DNT until the additional information is gathered and analyzed.
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