Open Road Tolling Hits The Stateline

Belvidere, Illinois- The first of three new Open Road Tolling stations opened up Wednesday morning. The Belvidere Toll plaza will allow I-PASS users driving west on I-90 drive through without having to stop. An electronic sensor located above the road will collect tolls from the I-PASS. People who still need to pay cash will use one of three lanes located next to the Open Road Tollway. This system will ease congestion on Illinois toll roads. "It allows folks to travel through our system barrier-free through the open road tollway and quite frankly, reduce their travel time," says Tollway Executive Director Brian McPartlin. "That`s the benefit of Open Road Tolling. That`s the benefit of having an I-PASS. That`s why we`re delighted to bring this service to the Rock River Valley area." Drivers heading east on I-90 won`t have to pay a toll at the Belvidere plaza. They`ll be charged at the Marengo plaza, which is scheduled to open this Friday. One of the first people to take a ride through the new plaza, was Belvidere Mayor Fred Brereton. "It`s gonna be fun to look back on this," says Brereton. "Every time I go through an Open Road Tolling plaza, I`ll think back on this day."