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Open Road Toll Structure Now On Mass Pike In Weston

WESTON (CBS) – The first evidence of open road tolling on the Massachusetts Turnpike is now visible to drivers.

The All-Electronic Tolling system isn't scheduled to begin on the Pike until October, but the first overhead structure went up above the highway near the Weston State Police Barracks this past weekend.

Once the system is up and running, drivers who don't have EZ Pass transponders can opt to use Pay-by-Plate, a system where a photo is taken of the driver's license plate and a bill is sent to the address where the car is registered.

Mass Pike Open Road Tolling
The pay-by-plate cameras over the Mass Pike in Weston. (WBZ-TV)

Open road tolling debuted in Massachusetts on the Tobin Bridge in early 2015, but WBZ-TV's I-Team uncovered several issues with billing and penalties.

More than 50,000 Massachusetts drivers racked up huge late fees using the pay-by-plate option. After the I-Team reports, the state offered an amnesty program for all outstanding fines.

MassDOT charges $50 for each toll that is not paid in 60 days, another $40 on top of that if it goes unpaid for a total of 120 days. The fees continue to grow the longer the bill goes unpaid.

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