NEWS |
114-99: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE , October 5, 1999
The “Purple Lane” is a special traffic lane for guiding motorists to the four exclusive E-ZPass lanes at the center of the George Washington Bridge’s lower level.
The new lane, which went into service on Monday, will help drivers line up early for E-ZPass and avoid getting caught behind motorists heading for cash lanes. The “Purple Lane” is conspicuously marked with purple stripes, a white border, signs and E-ZPass logos.
“Our customers have spoken, and we have heard them,” said Ken Philmus, the agency’s Director of Tunnels, Bridges and Terminals. “This lane is the result of suggestions made by many of our customers and follows a careful review by our traffic engineers. We’re confident that this prominently delineated, half-mile lane will further enhance the effectiveness of E-ZPass.”
E-ZPass is accepted at all toll lanes at Port Authority bridges and tunnels, but many motorists will prefer to head for the exclusive E-ZPass lanes offered at each crossing. The Purple Lane will lead users to four lanes strategically situated in the center of the lower level toll plaza. Three of these lanes, numbered 62, 64 and 66, are “E-ZPass Only” around-the-clock, while toll lane 68 is “E-ZPass Only” from 6 A.M. Mondays until 6 A.M. Saturdays. Motorists can easily access the lower level toll plaza from Route 4, Route 46 or the local lanes of I-95.
On the bridge’s upper level toll plaza, three toll lanes are dedicated to E-ZPass around-the-clock, and another is “E-ZPass Only” from 10:30 P.M. Sundays until the same time on Fridays. The bridge’s Palisades Interstate Parkway toll plaza dedicates four lanes for E-ZPass
Sixty percent of the motorists who use the lower level during the morning peak and 49 percent of those who use it on an average weekday are E-ZPass tag holders. At the Palisades Parkway toll plaza, E-ZPass use has reached 70 percent during the morning peak period. At the upper level, morning peak period E-ZPass use is at 55 percent.
The Port Authority has issued about 340,000 tags since 1997, contributing to the more than two million tags in use in the region.
To open an E-ZPass account, motorists can call 800 333-8655 or visit the Port Authority Web site at www.panynj.gov
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