MONROE – The N.C. Turnpike Authority has opened the all-electronic
Monroe Expressway, the second in a series of turnpike authority projects being introduced across the state.
“The Monroe Expressway has been a priority of local communities and offers opportunities for more efficient travel in the greater Charlotte area,” said Beau Memory, executive director of the North Carolina Turnpike Authority. “We are committed to delivering transportation infrastructure that provides connectivity and promotes a vibrant economy in our state.”
The Monroe Expressway is an 18-mile bypass that stretches from east of the I-485 and U.S. 74 interchange in Matthews, to just west of Marshville. Drivers traveling from Marshville to Matthews have a projected time savings of about 20 minutes.
“This is an important step in improving mobility in a rapidly growing region and one of the many solutions being brought to bear to better connect North Carolinians,” said Jim Trogdon, the state transportation secretary and chairman of the North Carolina Turnpike Authority Board. “Providing mobility options for communities is crucial to protect the quality of life and the economic growth our state enjoys.”
Local leaders and members of the community gathered Tuesday to cut the ribbon on the highly anticipated roadway project. Attendees enjoyed the presentation of colors by the Indian Trail VFW and the Pledge of Allegiance performed by Marshville Elementary School students. Local and state leaders also spoke, including Union County Chamber of Commerce’s President Pat Kahle, Wingate University President Dr. Rhett Brown, and Monroe-Union County Economic Development Executive Director Chris Platé.
The Monroe Expressway has an all-electronic tolling system, which provides seamless travel, without having to slow down or stop to pay tolls.
NC Quick Pass is the turnpike authority's toll collection program for the Monroe Expressway, and offers drivers two ways to pay for tolls: a prepaid transponder account or the postpaid Bill by Mail program.
Transponder accounts allow tolls to be automatically deducted from a prepaid balance and provide drivers up to 35 percent off tolls in North Carolina. Drivers who do not wish to sign up for a transponder account will pay tolls through the Bill by Mail program. In this program, following travel, the registered owner of the vehicle will receive an invoice in the mail.
Drivers can sign up for their NC Quick Pass accounts at any time. To sign up for an account, customers can stop by any of the customer service centers during business hours, visit
www.ncquickpass.com, or call 1-877-769-7277 (1-877-7MY-PASS).
Tolls collected will go to operating, maintaining and paying off the project. Current projections show the bonds to build the project will be repaid by mid-2050. Once all bonds are paid, the turnpike authority will stop collecting tolls on the Monroe Expressway.