E-Z Pass to be in use by end of year

JAMESTOWN, R.I. (AP) - An E-Z Pass system on the bridge to and from Newport could be up and running by the end of the year.

David Darlington, the chairman of the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, says he expects to convert all 10 lanes on the Claiborne Pell bridge to the E-Z Pass system by Dec. 26.

It currently costs $2 in each direction to travel the bridge. The fare will remain the same with the E-Z Pass.

The authority's finance director says it's received nearly 5,000 applications for E-Z Pass transponders.