(MORRISVILLE) -- The North Carolina Turnpike Authority has put toll passes on sale for the first toll road in modern state history. Gene Conti, secretary of the Department of Transportation, said electronic tolling is the only way to pay for the project that will stretch 18.8 eight miles in western Wake County.

"We believe it is important to open this road for the growth of the Triangle, for the commuting public and traveling public and so tolling allow you to build these new facilities much quicker than you would using the normal revenue stream, the gas tax," said Conti.

Electronic toll transponders are available online through at myncquickpay.com.  Those who travel the road but do not have a transponder will have their license plate automatically photographed and the registered owner of the license plate will receive a bill in the mail. The toll rate is discounted for those who use a transponder.