MTA eyes $32M toll plaza in York

PORTLAND – The Maine Turnpike Authority is proposing a $32 million replacement of the York toll plaza, a gateway for thousands of motorists entering Maine every day and a frustration for summer tourists when traffic backs up.

The 35-year-old toll plaza, which is seven miles north of the New Hampshire state line, already has been used for twice as long as was originally intended, said Paul Violette, the turnpike authority’s executive director.

“That was built as a temporary toll plaza,” he said. “And we just decided years ago not to spend any money on that toll plaza because it’s not worth spending money on.”

The new structure, to be completed within five years, will remain in York.

One feature under consideration is a high-speed toll collection system that would allow drivers with electronic toll devices to zoom through at 65 mph. Other motorists paying with cash would have to veer off the highway to hand money to a toll collector.

Turnpike officials expect to decide early next year whether to start high-speed toll collection. Regardless, the new toll plaza will be designed to accommodate high-speed tolls if needed in the future, Violette said.

The current York toll plaza, which opened in 1970 and was originally expected to be torn down in the 1980s, has problems, according to Violette. Besides being built on wetlands, it was located on a curve, which impairs drivers’ sight lines, and near an interchange, which can exacerbate traffic problems. Those shortcomings would be rectified in the new design, Violette said.

Bill Bray, York’s public works director, said the turnpike authority has a good history of working with communities to address issues that may arise. “I have no reason to be alarmed, at least at this point,” Bray said.