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Mass Pike Electronic Tolling Project Ahead Of Schedule, MassDOT Says

BOSTON (CBS) – The process of turning the Massachusetts Turnpike into a road with all electronic tolling is underway, and according to MassDOT officials, work is ahead of schedule.

The new all-electronic tolling (AET) system went live Friday night at 10:06 p.m., officially eliminating cash toll booths on the Mass Pike. Drivers seemed confused Saturday, but Monday is the real test, officials say.

"Monday is our Superbowl," MassDOT administrator Tom Tinlin said. "Especially these last two weeks, it really did feel like Monday is our game time."

During the morning commute on Monday, drivers are asked to slow down as they approach the construction zones, but urged not to stop at the old tolls. Tinlin said most of the traffic around the project has been curiosity driven.

Cars will be diverted to the outer lanes of the Mass Pike while the toll booths in the center are removed.

Hundreds of contractors, law enforcement members and MassDOT employees spent hours Friday night dropping 2,000 construction barrels and 6,000 linear feet of jersey barriers to alert drivers to the shifting traffic.

Related: What You Should Know About Mass Pike Electronic Tolling

On Saturday, Tinlin said the work was done faster than expected.

"We don't want to leave a minute on the table," said Tinlin. "Once we finish charging down these stations, once we finish gathering any old equipment out of these toll booths that we have, if we get the contractors to start early on the demolition part of it, that means we're going to end earlier. This thing is right down to the minute."

MassDOT previously said drivers may expect "short-term inconvenience" during the demolition of the old toll booths and should leave extra time for their commutes.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karyn Regal reports

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