Turnpike is a term commonly used in the United States to refer to a toll road or a highway where drivers must pay a fee to use it. The name "turnpike" originated from the early days of travel when wooden or metal pikes, or poles, were turned or pivoted to allow passage upon payment of tolls. These tolls helped maintain and finance the roadways, ensuring their upkeep and providing a source of revenue.
With time, turnpikes evolved into modern toll roads that feature electronic toll collection systems, such as E-ZPass or SunPass. These roads often have wide lanes, well-maintained surfaces, and convenient interchanges to facilitate smoother travel for commuters, truckers, and travelers.
Turnpikes play a significant role in transportation infrastructure, both for local and long-distance travel. They can reduce congestion on non-toll roads and offer more direct routes to destinations. Toll revenues collected from turnpikes are often reinvested in enhancing road safety, expanding highway capacity, and funding various transportation improvement projects.
It's important to note that the term "turnpike" is primarily used in the United States and may not be commonly understood in other countries. However, many countries around the world have their own versions of toll roads, such as motorways, expressways, or tollways.
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