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CHARLESTON -- Whether you're traveling south for the holidays or simply planning that summer drive to Myrtle Beach or the Florida coast, drivers could experience higher tolls on the West Virginia Turnpike, but there's still time to take advantage of the West Virginia E-Z Pass plan.
Starting Jan 1, the tolls on the West Virginia Turnpike will increase for regular vehicles from $2 to $4. The toll booths only accept cash unless the car is equipped with an E-Z Pass transponder. For drivers who make as many as 20 round trips on the turnpike, the parkways authority said the discount plan provides 95 percent savings. The cost could be eligible for deduction on state income taxes as well. There are no residency restrictions.
The West Virginia Parkways Authority adopted the new discount program and toll increases June 7. The money generated from the program and the additional toll increases will be used for road maintenance and improvements on the turnpike, as well as in several counties in southern West Virginia.
"This allows the Parkways Authority to sell an initial installment of $172 million in bonds (with a goal of $500 million) and will provide funding for important road and bridge improvements in 10 southern West Virginia counties designated by last year's turnpike legislation," said Gov. Jim Justice. "Also, for a one-time fee of $24, West Virginians will have unlimited use of our Turnpike for the next three years. This is another part of my Roads to Prosperity plan that creates thousands of new jobs while moving our state forward."
"This is the culmination of significant analysis, hard work and public outreach by the Parkways Authority, its financial consultants and advisors," said Parkways Authority general manager Greg Barr. "Gov. Justice led the way from the very beginning on this and we are pleased to see it pass, unanimously."
The deadline to apply for the West Virginia E-Z Pass early enrollment plan is Monday, Dec. 31. Drivers who apply for the plan will get three years of unlimited use of the West Virginia Turnpike, which spans Interstate 77 between Chelyan in Kanawha County and Ghent in Raleigh County. The plan is good through Dec. 31, 2021.
The cost of the early enrollment plan is $24 per vehicle, plus $13 for the transponder. The transponder will allow motorists to use E-Z Pass to travel through the toll plazas without having to stop at a booth and carry cash for the tolls. Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 1, the cost of the discount plan goes up to $25 per car and is renewed yearly.
According to the Parkways Authority, more than 15,000 people have applied for the West Virginia E-Z Pass plan in December. So many people are signing up that the website has been having technical issues due to the high volume of people seeking the discount.
Those seeking the discount can contact the parkways authority at 1-800-206-6222 or visit wvturnpike.com to download the application form.