The state is owed more than $15 million by out-of-state drivers who used the Massachusetts Turnpike without E-ZPass transponders, and much of it will likely never be collected.
The state Transportation Department confirmed to NBC10 Boston that since the cashless system replaced toll booths in October 2016, about $54 million has been collected from about 2 million out-of-state drivers who traveled Interstate 90 without transponders.
Of the $15 million in unpaid tolls, the state can only force payment of about $2.8 million based on agreements with Maine and New Hampshire in which drivers from those states can be blocked from renewing vehicle registrations unless they pay outstanding tolls.
A spokesman says the potential losses were anticipated when the system was installed and the state will continue to pursue all unpaid tolls, adding that MassDOT is on track with its revenue projections.
