The Bedford Toll Plaza is being replaced with all electronic tolling. Courtesy photo/Google Maps

BEDFORD – The state Department of Transportation has begun the first phase of the $16 million project on the F.E. Everett Turnpike to convert the Bedford Toll Plaza into an All Electronic Tolling facility.

The new AET facility will allow for a continuous stream of vehicles at highway speeds, capturing the fee from an overhead gantry system.

The first of the project is expected to be completed by June 15 while the entire project is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2027.

Weather permitting, construction crews will be working between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. and will require the use of lane closures. They will begin constructing temporary widenings on the northbound and southbound sides, just north of the existing toll booth.

The widenings will allow traffic to be temporarily relocated to the outside of the roadway. With this traffic configuration, construction crews can begin constructing permanent drainage, barriers, pavement and the concrete roadway containing the sensors for the gantry system.

Once the first phase is complete, the toll gantry can be erected and begin collecting tolls while the existing toll both plaza is decommissioned and removed.

Message boards, uniformed officers, traffic control devices and smart work zone devices will be used to direct drivers. Motorists are encouraged to sign up for free, real time traffic-related messages (text or email) at https://newengland511.org/.