New Hampshire DOT expanding open road tolling

Construction recently began on a new open road tolling facility in Hooksett, N.H., which the state DOT hopes will improve traffic flow. The project, which will see the addition of four E-ZPass booths, is scheduled for completion in summer 2013.

The ORT lanes would replace the six current middle lanes of the Hooksett Toll Booth, with two lanes running in each direction. The project, which is expected to cost $22.9 million, will also add a pair of conventional lanes to both ends of the toll area.

To combat the higher speeds inherent with open road tolling, crews will construct 10 ft-wide shoulders and concrete barriers on either side of each ORT lane; the barriers will extend 1,800 ft in both directions. This will allow drivers to choose their lane sooner and then channel them in and out smoothly.

DOT officials will do their best to minimize construction-related delays while work is ongoing. For this reason, crews will start with widening the outside lanes, working their way in toward the center. The project is expected to disrupt traffic the most on summer weekends, with more than 80,000 vehicles expected to pass through the toll plaza.