For Immediate Release: December 13, 2006

THRUWAY AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES CONVERSION OF TWO HIGHER SPEED E-ZPASS LANES IN ALBANY DIVISION
20 MPH E-ZPass Lanes Now Available at Interchanges 19 and B1

The New York State Thruway Authority today announced that two additional 20 mph higher-speed lanes have been completed in the Albany Division, under the Authority’s ongoing E-ZPass enhancement plan. A higher-speed E-ZPass lane is now available on entry at Interchange 19 (Kingston) on I-87 and on exit at Interchange B-1 (Hudson/Rensselaer) on the Berkshire Connector.

“The Authority has been proactively implementing a number of initiatives aimed at providing a higher level of service to Thruway customers in the Albany area and across the State,” said Thruway Authority Executive Director Michael R. Fleischer. “The addition of the higher speed E-ZPass lanes at selected interchanges from Kingston to Canajoharie, as well as along the Berkshire Connector, will allow motorists to reach their destinations more efficiently.”

The Albany Division now offers nine higher-speed E-ZPass lanes. In addition to these latest installations, a higher-speed lane is available at Interchange 29 (Canajoharie), Interchange 28 (Fultonville), Interchange 27 (Amsterdam), Interchange 25A (Schenectady I-88), Interchange 24 (Albany I-90-I-87), Interchange 21 (Catskill) and at the Canaan Toll Barrier on the Berkshire Connector. The E-ZPass enhancement initiative includes the addition of 40 higher-speed lanes system-wide, and will make E-ZPass even easier to use by allowing customers to save even more time while saving money.

Under this initiative, the Authority continues to mount new overhead signage at the 238 lanes capable of being dedicated E-ZPass lanes, install lane numbering signs at 20 of the largest toll collection points, as well as place E-ZPass signage closer to the toll plazas to better guide customers, reminding them that E-ZPass can be used in any open toll lane.

Customers with E-ZPass are reminded that in addition to receiving a 10 percent discount on passenger car tolls, they can also sign up for a number of E-ZPass commuter discount plans at http://www.nysthruway.gov/ezpass/discount.html.

To ensure the safety of Toll Collectors, the higher speed E-ZPass lanes have been placed in locations within the toll plaza so that Collectors do not have to cross the higher-speed lanes.

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