(RALEIGH) -- North Carolina made history on January 3 when the state's first section of road began charging a toll.  A 3.5 mile section of the Triangle Expressway opened to traffic in early December but did not start charging a toll until Tuesday.

Barry Mickle of the N.C. Turnpike Authority said that just prior to tolls starting, 10,000 vehicle transponders where sold to motorists. This is several times more that official had expected up to this point.

"We're very pleased with the traffic and we're sure it's going to grow once people figure out that they can leave home to get to work a little later and they can leave work and get home a little earlier," said Mickle.

Sensors on the highway communicate with the transponder in a car.  Use of the road is recorded and the registered owner of the transponder is sent a toll bill in the mail.  For vehicles without a transponder, cameras capture an image of a vehicle's license plate and the registered of the license plate is sent a toll bill in the mail.  There is a significant discount for motorists using a transponder.

Mickle said for motorists who might allow toll bills to pile up without being paid, the Turnpike Authority has the ability to prevent a vehicle owner from being able to renew their registration.