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Drivers allege Powhite toll machinery can’t accurately count coins

Posted at 6:42 PM, Jul 23, 2014
and last updated 2014-07-23 18:56:59-04

RICHMOND, Va. -- Is it costing you more to use the exact change lane on the Powhite Parkway? Some viewers complained to CBS 6 that they have to throw extra coins in the basket to get the arm to lift.

When CBS 6 tested the machines, we encountered no problems despite a half dozen runs through different lanes on VDOT and RMA tolls.  That's how the Virginia Department of Transportation says it should be.

"Our machines are set up so it rejects dirty, foreign, damaged coins -- and those are actually sent out to the customer, giving them the option to try them again with that coin or a new coin," said  Jessica Cowardin, VDOT spokeswoman.

VDOT also says don't overpay because it's easier.

"Of course folks don't want to pay anymore than they have to pay, so we do encourage them to go through the full service lanes and make sure they can pay the correct amount," Cowardin said.

VDOT says if drivers encounter problems with their tollbooths, contact the customer service line, 24 hours a day, at 1-800-367-7623

At the time of posting the RMA has yet to respond to our requests for that information.