Wabash Bridge toll to be automated by first of year
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The days of handing coins to a friendly toll collector on the Wabash Memorial Toll Bridge between New Haven and Mount Vernon, Ind., are set to come to an end as of Jan. 1, 2011.
The toll bridge is to become automated requiring regular drivers -- those who travel the bridge more than once a year -- to purchase a transponder windshield sticker and charge it with money. The toll -- $.50 for cars and normal sized pickup trucks -- will be automatically deducted as vehicles pass over the bridge.
The transponder is free and can be picked up and charged with cash, check or unused tickets at the bridge's office between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. this Saturday.
Motorists may call Indiana Department of Transportation at 1-800-279-5758 to order the transponder, called the Wabash Pass, and upload money to it. At some point the Internet site www.wabashbridge.com will be activated and money can be uploaded using credit, debit or e-check.
Until the new system is operating drivers will continue to pay a toll collector with money.
Drivers who ignore the new rule and drive across the bridge can expect INDOT to come calling.
"We do have a system in place so each vehicle is monitored crossing. If we have a frequent abuser we will access contact information through the license plate and notify them of unpaid tolls. We are encouraging anyone who crosses the toll more than once a year (to get the transponder)," INDOT spokeswoman Cher Goodwin said.
The transponder looks like an oil change sticker, Goodwin said.
Toll prices have not changed since 1984, Goodwin said.
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DeNeal receives e-mail at mailto:bdeneal@yourclearwave.com.</li>
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