Florida's Toll Route System - a changing world.
For the past few years, Florida Department of Transport (FDOT) has been rapidly implementing new toll lanes and electronic toll collection technologies, as it slowly phases out cash toll collection throughout the State. This program has been rapidly moving forward since the 3rd edition of Along Florida's Expressways published in 2012.
As a result, substantial research time was spent this past summer working with FDOT's public relations coordinator, acquiring toll route information and in particular how changes will affect Canadians visiting the State. The new 4th edition covers all of the changes which have occurred in the past three years as well as some of the future expansion plans.
In August, I wrote a briefing paper for the Canadian Automobile Association. I have reproduced it below - please feel free to use any of the information provided here for editorial purposes.
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From Dave Hunter
Contact:
Florida's new toll collection strategy and how it affects Canadian visitors
What is "Toll-by-Plate?"
Florida is slowly eliminating cash tolls which have been familiar to winter visitors for many years. Cash toll booths are being replaced with "Toll-by-Plate" cameras similar to the technology employed by Ontario's Highway 407 ETR. Namely, high-definition cameras installed on overhead gantries photograph license plates of non-SunPass bearing vehicle as they pass underneath.
Does it recognize Canadian license plates?
Yes - the Toll-by-Plate database includes license information for all Canadian provinces.
How will Canadians be billed if visiting Florida with their own vehicle?
The registered owner of a vehicle using a cashless toll route will be invoiced by mail at the end of each 30 day period in which a Toll-by-Plate route has been used. A US$2.50 administrative fee is added to each invoice.
Are there extra administration costs for Canadians?
No. I've been assured by the FDOT media people that there will be no extra costs added to Canadian invoices even though FDOT recognizes that administration and mailing costs for Canadian users, are higher.
How do Canadians avoid "Toll-by-Plate" charges if visiting Florida for only a few weeks?
If driving your own vehicle, the simplest approach is to purchase a Mini-SunPass from any of the Florida Welcome centers on interstate routes as you enter Florida.
Florida Welcome Centers have vending machines dispensing the Mini-SunPass, which costs US$4.99 and can be activated immediately online or by phone when purchased.
The mini-SunPass is also available at all Florida Turnpike service centers, Publix supermarkets, drug store chains and many other retail outlets.
The Mini-SunPass must be applied to the upper windshield of your vehicle. If removed it cannot be moved to another vehicle. A minimum US$10 toll fee deposit into your account is required when activated. Canadian credit cards are accepted and even if you do not use all your funds during your visit, they will remain in your account for future visits.
Having a SunPass in your vehicle saves money since SunPass toll rates are lower than cash or Toll-by-Plate toll charges.
Further, SunPass now has reciprocity and can be used on Georgia and North Carolina toll routes. In 2016, Florida plans to extend reciprocity for its SunPass to toll routes in 14 other states.
How much saving is there between SunPass tolls and Cash or Toll-by-Plate charges?
SunPass provides a discounted toll rate. Cash and Toll-by-Plate attract higher toll costs, using the same tariff for each.
Example: A popular route for Canadian Snowbirds is Florida's Turnpike which runs from I-75 (Wildwood) to Ft.Lauderdale. The SunPass toll for this drive is US$16.17; cash (or Toll-by-Plate when installed) is US$19.65. A return trip will therefore more than pay for a SunPass . . . which you can buy at the FloridaWelcomeCenter just south of the Florida-Georgia line, and install in your car and activate while still in the parking area.
How are those who fly to Florida and rent a car affected?
Please see separate article - "Renting a car in Florida? Watch for new hidden charges." ManyFloridarental agencies have discovered a new way of making money from their customers.
This article recommends a simple way for Canadians to ensure they do not pay unnecessary toll and equipment rental charges, and that they get the best discounted toll-cost, when renting a car in Florida.
Which toll routes have converted to cashless technology?
Fort Lauderdale/Miami area
All toll routes are now "cashless," meaning that vehicles using toll lanes are recognized by:
a). a Mini SunPass sticker on the windshield,
b). a portable SunPass transponder,
c). by the more expensive Toll-by-Plate system.
Current electronic "cashless" routes are:
- MiamiAirport Expressway (SR112)
- Dolphin Expressway (SR836)
- Don Shula Expressway (SR874)
- Gratigny Expressway (SR924)
- Sawgrass Expressway (SR869)
- Snapper Creek Expressway (SR878)
- The Homestead Extension, aka as the "HEFT" (SR821) to its terminus in FloridaCity.
The following routes in the same area became "cashless" in July, 2015.
- The FTP Stadium Extension, aka as the "Spur" (SR91), to its end at the Golden Glades Interchange.
- Florida's Turnpike (SR91) from exit 53 (Griffin Road) to the Homestead Extension (SR821).
Next year (2016), FDOT will continue its cashless expansion on Florida's Turnpike (FTP), northwards through the Ft.Lauderdale stretch of the FTP above exit 53 (Griffin Road).
Tampa area
The Selmon Crosstown Expressway (SR618) is now cashless. The Veterans Parkway and Suncoast Parkway (both SR417) running northwards out of the Tampa area, are now cashless.
FDOT is currently planning toll lanes for Interstate-4, starting at the border of HillsboroughCounty and running to the very busy intersection of I-4 and the popular snowbird route, Interstate-275 in Tampa.
Orlando/Kissimmee area
All toll routes in thisarea will continue to accept cash for the time being. Be aware though, there are some exits from these toll routes which do not have cash booths and the only way of exiting is with a SunPass in your vehicle.
What is the future of cash toll routes in Florida?
Florida is adopting a toll business model implemented successfully by other states, most notably California. Tolls provide funds for highway expansion and maintenance with less reliance on the state's tax base.
In the next five years, we will see more toll routes appear in other areas such as Tampa and Jacksonville. Next year, construction will commence on an Interstate-4 managed toll lane, from the Lakeland area westward to Tampa.
Within 2 years, we will see the first I-75 managed toll route lanes from the intersections of Miami's Sawgrass Expressway (SR869)/Port Everglades Expressway (I-595) to the intersections of the non-toll Palmetto Parkway (SR826)/Gratigny Expressway (SR924).
Public planning meetings were held earlier this month to prepare the public for toll routes on Interstate-275 and the Howard Frankland Bridge across Tampa Bay - both popular Canadian snowbird routes to Pinellas County destinations and in particular, St. Petersburg. A completion date within five years has been announced.
Will existing interstate routes remain free?
Yes, but the number of interstate (freeway) lanes may be reduced to provide space for the toll lanes. A recent Florida newspaper article suggested that it is to FDOT's advantage to make the free interstate lanes less acceptable in terms of traffic flow, to encourage drivers to use the adjacent toll lanes.
What are the different types of toll lanes now in use or proposed?
Florida's toll route expansion has spawned new approaches and terms to describe toll route usage.
Toll Only routes
. . . such as Florida's Turnpike, a number of Miami expressways and the Selmon Crosstown in Tampa, are just that - toll routes.
Express Toll Lanes
. . . such as I-95 Express are lanes with variable tolls. The cost depends upon the advantage of using them. In other words, if the free interstate lanes are jammed with cars, the cost of the Express lanes will be higher. Express lanes must maintain an average of 45 mph (72 km) for 90% of your journey.
Managed Toll Lanes
. . . are designed for commuters into urban areas. They may be bi-directional or reversible - inbound/outbound depending upon time-of-day.
Combination toll lanes
There are some managed lanes which run on top of existing toll routes. The Tampa Selmon Crosstown is a case in point. Others are planned in the Miami area.
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If renting a car in Florida?
Caveat emptor! Each car rental company has its own price list for adding a SunPass transponder to its rental products.
The most expensive appears to be Dollar, Thrifty or Sunshine car rentals. These companies require customers to either opt-in or out at time of rental; opting-in costs an additional US$8.99/day. If a customer has opted-out and accidentally uses a vehicle on a cashless toll route, a US$15 "infraction" fee will be added to the rental for each usage occasion.
Other rental companies appear to automatically include SunPass equipment in their rentals (i.e., no opting-out) and extra fees are applied if toll charges are incurred during the rental.
How can Canadians renting cars avoid these charges?
Purchase the portable SunPass transponder. This can be moved from car to car and even taken home at the end of your Florida visit and used in future years. It costs US$19.99 and similar to the Mini pass, requires a minimum US$10 toll fee deposit into your account when activated. The unit is very small and like the mini-SunPass, requires no power.
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full article. Some sections may be eliminated for basic information article)
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Credit: by Dave Hunter, author of Along I-75 and Along Florida’s Expressways.
Additional, if needed:
Dave is a founding member of the Travel Media Association of Canada and a long time member of the Society of American Travel Writers. His travel guide books have won prestigious awards in both Canada and the USA.
Most notably, VISITFLORIDA, the SunshineState’s official tourism organization recently endorsed Dave’s “Along Florida’s Expressways” as the guide book it uses in all its state Welcome Centers.
Dave and his wife Kathy, have been driving I-75 to Florida since it was built in the 1960s.