Tag: West Virginia Parkways Authority

Turnpike’s Beckley, Bluestone Plazas To Reopen In December

Both service plazas closed in 2022 for demolition and reconstruction. They will reopen by year’s end with more amenities at a cost of $122 million.

The head of the West Virginia Parkways Authority told lawmakers that two big turnpike projects should be finished by the end of the year.

Parkways Authority Executive Director Jeff Miller said Tuesday that the Beckley and Bluestone travel plazas on the West Virginia Turnpike will be open to the public by Dec. 15.

Both service plazas closed in 2022 for demolition and reconstruction. They will reopen by year’s end with more amenities at a cost of $122 million.

Miller told lawmakers that most of the work will be complete for the holiday travel season.

“I think a majority of it will be done, and the buildings will be completed and we’ll be able to get those open back up to the traveling public,” he said.

Miller also said that the toll plazas will begin to accept credit card payments by the end of the year. They will continue to accept cash and EZ-Pass.

Busy Holiday Travel Season Anticipated For W.Va. Turnpike 

“Given that Christmas Day falls on a Monday, we’ll see more travel throughout the weekend,” Miller said.

The West Virginia Parkways Authority is gearing up for a busy Christmas holiday travel season. 

Officials say the West Virginia Turnpike will see 1.33 million transactions over the 13-day holiday travel period from Thursday, Dec. 21, through Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.

Parkways Authority Executive Director Jeff Miller said forecasted rainy weather and above average temperatures over Christmas will likely mean more travelers will use the turnpike.

“Given that Christmas Day falls on a Monday, we’ll see more travel throughout the weekend,” Miller said. “That may allow more people to get out and get to their destinations over the course of Saturday and Sunday and then return mid week.” 

Miller said peak travel times are expected most days from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. 

“So we do expect a slight increase over last year’s traffic and we expect it will be in line with 2017 when both Christmas and New Year’s fell on a Monday.” 

Turnpike traffic volume is expected to be about the same as 2022 travel figures, or slightly higher at just below 1.3 million.

Drivers are reminded to be respectful and pay attention to flaggers who will be positioned at the turnpike to direct people to the right lane of the toll plaza and encourage smooth traffic flow.

The West Virginia Parkways Authority said it is anticipating more mid-week travel than usual from Tuesday to Thursday after Christmas. This is credited to a football bowl game between the West Virginia University Mountaineers and the University of North Carolina Tar Heels. The game will be held in Charlotte, N.C. on Wednesday, Dec 27, at 5:30 p.m. 

More EZPass Lanes Coming To West Virginia Turnpike Next Year

Jeff Miller, executive director of the West Virginia Parkways Authority, told state lawmakers Tuesday that the system is getting its first upgrade since 2008.

Changes are coming to the West Virginia Turnpike’s toll collection system.

Starting early next year, more EZPass lanes will be available at the West Virginia Turnpike’s toll plazas. 

Jeff Miller, executive director of the West Virginia Parkways Authority, told state lawmakers Tuesday that the system is getting its first upgrade since 2008. The new system can change lanes to EZPass only, depending on traffic volumes.

Among other changes, Miller said the North Beckley toll plaza will go cashless. Drivers will either have to have an EZPass account and transponder, or they will be mailed a bill based on their license plate.

Miller said the EZPass capture rate has doubled in six years to about 70 percent.

“(In) 2017, that was at 34 percent, so we’ve almost doubled the amount of EZPass transactions that we have,” Miller said.

Not only does EZPass help reduce congestion at toll plazas, especially in the summer and around holidays, Miller said, it also helps alleviate staffing issues. It’s become harder to recruit toll collectors, he said.

West Virginia Turnpike Tolls Doubling Next Year to $4

Tolls on the West Virginia Turnpike will double starting next year.

News outlets report the West Virginia Parkways Authority voted Thursday to increase rates at three toll booths from $2 to $4 for passenger cars starting Jan. 1.

It’s the first toll increase since 2009, when it went from $1.25 to $2.

Drivers who frequently use the Turnpike can choose to purchase an EZ pass, which will cost $24 for unlimited use for three years. Those not already in the program would also pay a $13 one-time fee for a transponder.

West Virginia Parkways Toll Hike Given Initial OK

The West Virginia Parkways Authority has given initial approval to a plan to double the single tolls on the turnpike and create a flat-fee discount program.

The Register-Herald in Beckley reports the authority voted unanimously on the resolution Thursday.

Parkways General Manager Greg Barr said public meetings on the issue are planned in May, though locations and times haven’t been announced. The measure will come up for final consideration in June.

Tolls currently are $2 for passenger cars and $1.30 for those with an in-state E-ZPass.

Under the proposed fee structure, drivers would pay a one-time discounted rate of $24 for a three-year “subscription” for unlimited turnpike use. On Jan. 1, the cash rate increase would take effect along with a $25 annual E-ZPass fee for anyone who didn’t sign up for a subscription.

Corporate Sponsors Sought for West Virginia Turnpike

The West Virginia Parkways Authority is seeking corporate sponsors for the West Virginia Turnpike.

The agency announced plans Tuesday to launch the program for the 88-mile toll road in southern West Virginia.

Parkways Authority general manager Gregg Barr says in a statement that such sponsorships have proven to be a creative revenue generator.

Barr says the goal is to publish a request for proposals by the end of the year.

The turnpike carries traffic between Charleston and Princeton on Interstates 64 and 77.

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