WV Parkways Authority says Turnpike travelers exceeded expectations for Thanksgiving week – WV MetroNews

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Numbers released by the West Virginia Parkways Authority Tuesday show the West Virginia Turnpike exceeded expectations throughout the busy Thanksgiving week.

The Parkways Authority say that the total number of transactions was 754,405, nearly 40,000 more than the 715,000 transactions expected, which still would have been the busiest week of the year.

Wednesday, November 27, and Sunday, December 1, finished as the busiest days of the week on the Turnpike, as the two accounted for over 55% of the Thanksgiving week transactions.

As expected, the least traveled day of the week was Thanksgiving Day on Thursday. Despite being the lowest of the week, Thursday saw 67,724 transactions, which was around 200 more than expected.

Right before the holiday rush, a Pay by Plate option was introduced for the Turnpike, which allowed motorists to drive through the EZ Pass Lane and have their plate scanned. They could then go back and pay the toll on the Turnpike’s website.

West Virginia Parkways Authority Executive Director Jeff Miller says the new system was vital for the most hectic travel week of the year.

“We had more travel than was expected, which is a great thing, and we pushed cars through the toll facilities better than we have ever done in the past, and all thanks to our new tolling system,” Miller said.

Those who utilized the Toll by Plate option will have 30 days from the date to pay the toll.