FDOT Planning 2012 Toll Road Price Increase
MIAMI (CBS4) - Driving on some of South Florida's toll roads are about to get a little more expensive.
According to CBS4 News partner The Miami Herald, the Florida Department of Transportation is expected to announce next week that tolls on several highways will increase by about 25 cents. The affected highways include Florida's Turnpike and the Sawgrass Expressway.
The increase is required by a law passed in 2007, but will not take effect until June 30th of next year. That law, signed by then-Governor Charlie Crist, mandates an increase in tolls every five years, or an optional increase annually according to the consumer price index.
Officials opted for the former.
"Due to the difficult economic situation resulting from the recession, we decided not to implement the [annual] increases," said Turnpike CFO Nicola Liquori.
The rate hike does not include the express lanes on Interstate 95 or toll roads operated by the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX).
Officials say the extra revenue will go toward expanding the turnpike in Miami-Dade County and improvements to the Golden Glades Interchange, among other roadway projects.
FDOT officials will present their proposal online on Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. Those interested in viewing must register at http://floridasturnpike.com/tools_tollratenotices.cfm and www.FloridasTurnpike.com
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