BOSTON (WHDH) - The Mass Pike has begun all electronic tolling, and the demolition of the old toll booths is underway.
Twenty-three work zones are expected to back up traffic where the toll booths are being knocked down.
Drivers will be funneled to outside lanes while inside lanes are being removed.
“Stay in your lane, and do not stop at the old toll booth, there is nobody there to take your money,” said Thomas Tinlin, Massachusetts Highway Director.
Monday morning will be the first weekday commute since that construction has started.
“There is a lot of work that needs to be done. There will be a lot of inconvenience. Anything that the driving public can do. Give us the road, let us do our job, we’re going to get you where you need to be safely,” said Tinlin.
In phase one of construction, crews expect to work at the center of the toll complex to eventually allow traffic to pass through the middle.
In phase two, crews expect to work on the outside areas until all toll booths are gone.
“We will have extra tow trucks, lots of patrols out there, lots of police presence, if someone breaks down we’ll have a great response to that,” said Major Terry Hanson, of the Massachusetts State Police.
Officials said it is expected they will finish the demolition by Christmas 2017.
The long-term benefit of this project is improved air quality, improved congestion and improved safety,” said Jeff Larason, Director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
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