On April 1, the Maine Turnpike Authority will open its first Open Road Tolling facility in New Gloucester. This new technology allows vehicles with E-ZPass to pay tolls at highway speeds of 65 mph.

Motorists without E-ZPass may still pay cash by stopping at a conventional booth.

The new technology will save customers time and money and changes how tolls are collected.

When approaching the new plaza, motorists should follow these instructions:

Those with E-ZPass should stay in the left lane and proceed under the electronic tolling equipment at highway speed.

Motorists paying cash should stay in the right lane, slow down when approaching the plaza and stop to pay the toll. Leaving the plaza is the same as entering the highway from an entrance ramp. Through-traffic has the right of way; yield and merge safely back into traffic on the highway.

Motorists who do not have E-ZPass and mistakenly go through the highway speed lane should not stop. There is no place to pay the toll. They should contact the MTA by phone at 1-888-MTA-PASS or online at www.maineturnpike.com. They can make arrangements to pay promptly in order to avoid receiving a violation notice and possible extra fees.

Open Road Tolling is a great advance in toll collection. It is convenient, efficient, and better for the environment. This new toll facility will save on fuel and air emissions and will reduce wear and tear on brakes, transmissions and equipment — not only for trucks but for all vehicles.

Peter Mills, Portland, executive director, Maine Turnpike Authority