BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — Expect your drive on Florida’s Turnpike, Alligator Alley, and other toll roads throughout Florida to cost a little more starting at 6A Sunday. After a five year delay, the Florida Department of Transportation initiates “indexing,” or basing toll hikes on the cost of living index.
Sound confusing? This media update from FDOT attempts to clear the confusion:
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will implement toll rate indexing on all of its toll roads and bridges beginning at 6 a.m., Sunday, June 24.
Enacted in 2007, Section 338.165 Florida Statutes mandates that FDOT shall index toll rates on existing toll facilities to the annual Consumer Price Index or similar inflation indicators no more frequently than once a year, and no less frequently than once every five years. The Department waited until the fifth year to implement this adjustment to lessen the impact of the economic slowdown on the driving public. By statute, the indexing of toll rates must occur before July 1, 2012.
The adjusted toll rate reflects an average increase of 25 cents at most toll booths for both SunPass and cash customers.
Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise Executive Director Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti said, “The additional revenues collected as part of the toll rate indexing will provide transportation funding to provide much needed relief to already congested corridors. This will be accomplished by adding lanes and converting toll booths to an all electronic system, resulting in the added benefit of improved safety.”
SunPass customers have not had a toll rate increase since the program began in 1999. SunPass customers will always enjoy the lowest toll rate on any facility.
The Department’s toll roads and bridges include Alligator Alley, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, the Pinellas Bayway system, the Beachline East Expressway, and the 460-mile Turnpike Enterprise system.
For more information on toll rate indexing and a chart showing the adjusted toll rates on each facility, visit http://floridasturnpike.com/tools_tollratenotices.cfm.
Motorists may see signs with the new toll rates posted earlier than June 24, but the new rate will not be charged until the implementation date.
