Doubling of toll rates in West Virginia delayed another two weeks

Motorists in West Virginia will get an extra two weeks to pay tolls at 2018 prices before they double. Gov. Jim Justice has announced that the toll increase has been moved from Jan. 1 to Jan. 15.

The West Virginia Parkways Authority voted unanimously to delay the toll increase for another two weeks. According to a news release, many E-ZPass customers are still waiting to receive their transponders.

In the final 24 hours of the year, approximately 4,000 E-ZPass applications were submitted. On Monday, Dec. 31, more than 19,000 applications were outstanding, with about 14,000 of those applications completed Monday and waiting to be mailed. The remaining 5,000 applications were waiting to be processed.

Just a few days earlier on Dec. 28, Gov. Justice had called for an emergency meeting with the Parkways Authority. According to a news release from the governor’s office, Justice became aware of technical challenges and service disruptions to the E-ZPass enrollment service. The meeting was set up to find a solution to that problem.

On that same day, the governor announced that the deadline to enroll in the limited one-time early enrollment option for the single fee discount program would be extended to Jan. 11. However, the extension only applied to enrollment, leaving the toll increase to go into effect on Jan. 1.

On Monday, the governor again expressed concerns over the toll increase slated for the next day as the delivery of transponders had been delayed. Justice urged the Parkways Authority to delay the toll increase. A few hours later, that wish was granted.

“I am pleased that my concerns regarding potential traffic delays, backups and safety on the turnpike were heard and that the Parkways Authority followed my recommendation and acted in the best interest of the great people of the state of West Virginia,” Gov. Justice said in a statement. “I continue to urge everyone to buy an E-ZPass, and do it soon.”

Beginning Jan. 15, toll rates on the West Virginia turnpike will increase by 100 percent across the board. Rates for five-axle trucks with a West Virginia E-ZPass will double from $5.40 to $10.80. Truckers without an E-ZPass will pay $13.50, up from $6.75.

To view all new toll rates, click here.