The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey yesterday took a step toward cashless tolling at its six state border crossings. The agency approved the design and construction of a new $175 million toll collection system at its monthly board meeting.
The new system will have the capability to handle E-ZPass and cash collections as well as all-electronic collections that use cameras to read license plates and bill drivers. While a decision hasn’t been made to actually use cashless tolling — also known as open-road tolling — the Port Authority said in a press release that such a system would enhance regional mobility, reduce emissions, and eliminate lane closing due to equipment problems.
Installation of the new system is scheduled to begin in 2012 and be completed in 2014. PBS&J Architecture and Engineering was awarded the contract through a request for proposal process.
The authority also announced yesterday that it had awarded its biggest contract to date for construction at the World Trade Center Transportation Hub. The contract is for $542 million awarded to Skanska USA Civil Northeast Inc./Granite Construction Northeast Inc./Skanska USA Building Inc. for platform and other work at the transport station. The hub will eventually allow the authority’s PATH train commuters to connect with 13 subway lines.
The final disposition of the World Trade Center site itself is still uncertain.
Speaking to reporters following the meeting, executive director Christopher Ward said the authority was still in negotiations with developer Silverstein Properties Inc. over construction on the WTC site.
The two parties have until March 12 to renegotiate a development agreement following a decision by an arbitration panel in January that extended the deadline under which Silverstein was to complete the construction of three towers.
Silverstein has reportedly proposed building two of three towers it had planned to build on the site and has asked for the Port Authority to guarantee its loans. The authority, which owns the site, has rejected such requests in the past.
