Daily News Briefs, February 5, 2024

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Maine Turnpike And Partners Announce Start Of Gorham Connector Alternatives Analysis

The Maine Turnpike Authority (MTA) took the next step in a project long proposed to relieve South Portland congestion when it announced the start of a Gorham Connector Alternatives Analysis this morning. The authority, in partnership with several municipalities and Maine DOT, have agreed on an alignment for the proposed toll facility that will connect the turnpike at Exit 45 to the junction of the Gorham Bypass with State Route 114 near Gorham Village. As MTA continues working to determine the project’s financial feasibility and to obtain state and federal environmental permits, it will launch an in-person and virtual outreach campaign next month (specific meeting dates to be determined) to give the public opportunities to learn about the project and offer comments. According to MTA’s news release, the process leading to today’s announcement began in 2007. Since then, a series of studies and intergovernmental agreements have steadily advanced the project. MTA and the partner municipalities agree that the new facility is an appropriate and necessary solution for the relief of commuter traffic congestion that has increasingly burdened secondary roads. The final project budget will not be determinable until design work is completed. (As recently as May 2023, the cost was estimated as $230-million-plus, according to Maine media reports.)

The new alternatives study website hosted by MTA includes a background video, FAQ sections and other information.

The Gorham Connector proposal has committed advocates, but it is not universally supported within Maine or by transportation commentators. TRN subscribers can find information about the project debate by entering the content tag “Maine Turnpike Authority” or the keywords “Gorham AND connector” in the TRN search box.

Environmental Protection Policies Procedures And Initiatives Maine Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) Maine Turnpike Authority Public Outreach And Communication

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VINCI Highway's ViaPlus Seeks Applicants For Business And IT Job Openings

ViaPlus by VINCI Highways, the global ITS firm specializing in revenue and services management solutions for the transportation industry, has US-based business development and IT job openings. It is inviting qualified and experienced people to apply for these five positions:

Follow the above links to read brief job descriptions and connect to detailed information and online applications.

Information Technology Resources and Acquisitions Procurement of Tolling Equipment & Services Texas ViaPlus (VINCI Subsidiary) VINCI Group

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Illinois Tollway Advocates Responsible Disposal Of Superseded Hard-Case Transponders

NBC News Chicago reports, the Illinois Tollway Authority, which is gradually introducing 6C sticker tags in lieu of hard-case transponders, has once again asked customers not to dump their replaced I-PASS units in the household trash. First, though voluntary exchanges have started, the legacy devices can still be used until their designated battery expiration date. When customers do change over, the authority urges them to dispose of old units in an “environmentally sound way.” Options include returning a device to the Tollway or finding a lithium-ion battery recycling site through the Earth911 website. The article includes information about the transition policy, the process of obtaining a sticker and mounting instructions.

AET (All-Electronic Tolling) Environmental Protection Policies Procedures And Initiatives ETC Systems I-PASS (IL Tollway Authority) Illinois Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (IL Tollway)

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Texas Toll Transponders Open Garage Gates For University's Parking Permit Holders

The University of Houston-Downtown announced that permit holders can now use a transponder issued by a Texas ETC system in lieu of other methods of gaining access to campus parking garages. Newly installed proximity card readers recognize TxTag (TxDOT), TollTag (NTTA) and EZ TAG (HCTRA) transponders as credentials for entering and leaving a garage. “To ensure a smooth and hassle-free process, drivers should drive slowly to the parking gate and patiently wait (up to five seconds) for the toll tag to be read. This will provide a seamless access into the garage.” Since the new service is free, it involves no deduction of transponder account funds.

ETC Systems EZ TAG Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) Houston Metro Area North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) Texas Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) TollTag Transponder RFID Technology TxTag

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These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.

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