The Maine Turnpike Authority on Monday September 17, 2001 announced plans to make the next generation of electronic toll collection in Maine compatible with systems operating in at least eight eastern states, including Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and eventually in New Hampshire.
Under the plan, the Maine Turnpike will replace all Transpass transponders and activate the updated system by the fall of 2003. Interstate compatibility, however, will not be available until spring of 2004. According to Zaitlin, the Turnpike Authority is switching to the new transponder months before offering compatibility to avoid investing additional money in the purchase of current generation technology, only to phase it out in a matter of months.
"There's no doubt that electronic toll collection has been an overall success in Maine. The time is right to pursue the next evolutionary step in this technology -- compatibility with other states," Zaitlin said.
E-ZPass is wildly popular in the states where it is offered. More than 5 million E-ZPass transponders are currently in use in New York and New Jersey. More than 3 million have been issued in Massachusetts.
When Maine's version of E-ZPass comes on line in 2004, it will be linked with at least 16 toll agencies, operating more than 40 toll roads, tunnels and bridges in seven other states; New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and West Virginia. These states have joined together to form the Interagency Group (IAG), which develops guidelines for achieving compatibility between agencies. The Maine Turnpike Authority has applied for membership in the IAG. Violette is confident that the Maine Turnpike will gain acceptance later this fall.

ATTENTION: ALL KIDS/PARENTS/ AND GRANDPARENTS (who attended the Aug.25th playground project meeting)!!!!!! I WISH TO EXPRESS MY BELATED BUT HEARTFELT THANKYOU FOR ALL OF YOUR WONDERFUL IDEAS AND SUPPORT!!!!! AS A RESULT, THE NEW COMMUNITY CENTER PLAYGROUND WILL REFLECT THE NEEDS, DESIRES, AND WISHES OF THE FAMILIES OF FRYE ISLAND. OUR GOAL IS TO CREAT A SAFE, ENJOYABLE, EXCITING, AND ATTRACTIVE ADDITION TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER RECREATIONAL AREA. YOUR CONTINUED INVOLVEMENT AND SUPPORT ARE NECESSARY TO MAKE THIS DREAM A REALITY!!!!! please contact Jeanne at @207 655-2454 or 978 948-7821 if you wish to become actively involved in the PLAYGROUND PROJECT or if you simply want another opportunity to share your ideas or those of your children or grandchildren. REMEMBER: " FRYE ISLAND'S CHILDREN ARE, AND ALWAYS HAVE BEEN, IT'S GREATEST AND MOST VALUABLE ASSET! " SINCERELY,
JEANNE SULLIVAN-TOOMEY R.P.T
pediatric physical therapist