MERRIMACK, NH – Drivers who enter and exit the F.E. Everett Turnpike in the town of Merrimack will no longer have to pay tolls to the State of New Hampshire.

Merrimack residents expressed concern over the years that they were forced to pay tolls no matter where they wanted to access the turnpike. If they were going North they also faced tolls at the Bedford Tolls.

Two years ago the state announced they would stop collecting tolls at the northbound offramp, and southbound onramp. Prior to this the state had removed the tolls at the Exit 12 northbound offramp and Exit 12 southbound onramp.

Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on January 1st the tolls at Exit 10 southbound onramp, and northbound offramp will be closed. Those exits have had reduced staffing during the past year, forcing drivers to use cash only or EZ-Pass.

Friday NH DOT workers began removing some of the signage, and had large electronic signs notifying drivers of the upcoming changes.

Drivers will be directed to use the right lane at both toll plazas at Exit 10. The toll plaza structures will eventually be removed as they were at Exit 11, and 12.