E-470 going cash-free

If you plan to drive the E-470 toll road any time soon, leave the change at home. All the cash toll plazas on the private roadway are shutting down, effective July 4th.

This cash option is going away because it costs E-470 $2 million a year to operate and is the cause of most accidents on the toll road.

"It keeps traffic flowing a lot faster," said motorist Josh Herbeck.

No more drivers scrambling for last-minute change. Most accidents occur in the cash lanes with people trying to get to them, and then back into traffic flow.

"We will significantly reduce the number of accidents," said Jo Snell of the e-470 Public Highway Authority. "It is just much safer for our customers and good on the environment; we've eliminated that idling in the lanes."

With cash booths gone, you can join the 73-percent of folks who get an Express Toll transponder for $35. Or you can choose the License Plate Toll and let them send you a bill. Your picture is taken with new-and-improved high tech cameras. But it'll cost you ten percent more per toll, and watch out for the late fees.

"If the bill is not paid in full by the due date," said Snell, "then they will receive a first notice for the toll, plus an administrative fee if seven dollars."

And if you don't pay that by the due date, the charge goes up to $70 for each violation.

"Taking away the cash option, I think they're going to lose a lot of motorists," said driver Randy Lloyd.

"I think it'll be a little bit faster for most people," said motorist John Marek. "I think they'll lose a little bit of money."

"In the short term, people will be confused. I think people won't know what to do. Especially people from out of town. But in the long term I think it's going to better for everyone because, basically, what you're doing is you're paying for speed," said motorist Mike Cahill.

With this only the second toll road to go completely cash-free, industry analysts say cities around the country are watching to see how it works.

In coming days, workers will start shutting down the toll plazas and reworking traffic lanes to keep people from driving into them.

Most of the rental car companies provide transponders so that's not an issue. Unfortunately, about 100 of the toll takers will lose their jobs.