OOIDA Information Update – Florida members
November 16, 2009

Attention: Florida truckers! The Florida Turnpike is accepting comments about their plans to eliminate cash tolls on portions of the toll highways during a switch to video tolling in 2011. Be sure to share your thoughts with the Turnpike on this plan that in some instances could result in toll increases.

Public comments about the “Toll-by-Plate” proposal will be accepted during an online meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 17, and by e-mail until Dec. 1.

The implementation of video tolling means that cash payments will no longer be accepted on the Mainline, Beachline, Polk Parkway, Sawgrass Expressway, Southern Connector Extension, Seminole Expressway, Suncoast Parkway, Veterans Expressway and a segment of the Western Beltway. The transition is currently scheduled to take place in February 2011.

In some cases, the “Toll-by-Plate” rate will simply replace the cash toll, but in other cases the result will be a toll increase. SunPass rates will remain the cheapest option for turnpike users, according to the Florida DOT.

Click here for instructions to participate in the online meeting. The session begins at 6 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Nov. 17.

You also have the option to participate in person at one of the following locations:

• Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise Headquarters Auditorium, Turnpike Mile Post 263, Building 5315, Ocoee, FL 34761;
• Florida Department of Transportation, District 4 Auditorium, 3400 W. Commercial Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309;
• Florida Department of Transportation, District 7 Auditorium, 11201 N. Malcolm McKinley Drive, Tampa, FL 33612;
• Snapper Creek Service Plaza, Materials Lab Training Room, Mile Post 19, Florida’s Turnpike, Miami, FL 33186; and
• Florida Department of Transportation, District 1, Mike Rippe Auditorium, 801 N. Broadway, Bartow, Florida 33831.

Additional information about the video tolling proposal is available here. Materials include a copy of the rule change as proposed and a schedule of toll rates.

Public comments will be accepted by e-mail until Dec. 1. Direct those comments to Sonyha Rodriguez‐Miller, Turnpike public information officer, sonyha.rodriguez‐miller@dot.state.fl.us.