MnPASS Will Become E-ZPass In August

MINNESOTA — Starting next month, Minnesota's MnPASS will become E-ZPass, connecting the state's express lane system to scores of states throughout the Midwest and the East Coast.

Customers will be able to use one pass to travel throughout Minnesota and in 19 other states, the Minnesota Department of Transportation said in a news release. Current MnPASS tags will continue to work on Minnesota roads, and customers who want a new E-ZPass for use in other states can make the switch starting Aug. 2.

E-ZPass Minnesota will give travelers a more reliable option during busy commuting hours on Interstate 35W south, I-35E and I-394, the DoT said, and will soon offer a fourth express lane route on I-35W between Roseville and Blaine in the north Twin Cities metro once construction is completed.

"The interoperability of E-ZPass Minnesota adds even more value and convenience for travelers," Margaret Anderson Kelliher, MnDOT Commissioner, said in a statement. "As Minnesota’s traffic volumes continue to return to pre-pandemic levels, E-ZPass lanes create more options for Minnesotans get around safely, reliably and efficiently."

The E-ZPass lane will operate like a general highway lane and will be free to all motorists 90 percent of the time. During peak hours (6-10 a.m. and 3-7 p.m. Monday through Friday), solo drivers will pay a fee, but it will remain free for buses, motorcycles and vehicles with two or more people, according to the DoT.

The fees range between $0.25 and $8.00 – the heavier the traffic in the E-ZPass lane, the higher the price. E-ZPass Minnesota will use one tag that can switch between "single occupant" and "HOV," the DoT said.

By providing a dedicated lane that is free for high occupancy vehicles and requires a fee for single occupant vehicles, E-ZPass helps to manage traffic and reduce travel times, according to the DoT. A single E-ZPass lane can move twice as many people as a regular lane during peak hours, as 80 percent of travelers using E-ZPass are riding on buses or carpooling.

“This project has been a great example of what we can achieve when we work together,” Sheila Kauppi, MnDOT Metro Deputy District Engineer, said in a statement. “We are grateful to our local community partners, cities and contractors for their collaboration, the hundreds of workers who made this project a reality, and to the residents of the north metro for their patience.”