The Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority is making moves toward a 25 cent toll increase at all 14 toll plazas and most toll ramp facilities in the greater Orlando area. The OOCEA covers about 105 miles of toll roads in the central Florida region such as Toll Florida 408, 417, 429 and the newly partially opened Toll Florida 414. Some motorists are against this type of increase and have already suggested that if indeed the tolls are raised, they will begin to take the more congested routes, such as Interstate 4 and Colonial Drive. The OOCEA stated that they have no choice since their revenues and ridership have fallen consistently for the last 11 months, which according to them is unprecedented in the agency’s history. It has also been suggested that the increase could bring in more than $40 million annually. This increase could help pay for projects such as the extension of Toll Florida 414 west of Toll Florida 429, construction of the 25 mile Wekiva Parkway, the proposed limited access toll facility connecting the proposed 414/429 with Interstate 4 near Sanford, among a few other projects. Read here http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-tollhike1809feb18,0,1892733.story?page=1 for more information on this story.
So that means for all those motorists who are currently using the 25 cent toll ramps, beginning in April you will start paying double. To some that may not seem like much but when you break it down quarter by quarter it starts adding up real quick, especially if you use the toll roads everyday. That also means motorists on expressways such as the Beachline (Toll Florida 528) are going to get screwed as well as a portion of that facility is also maintained by the OOCEA, more specifically the portion that runs directly north of the Orlando International Airport. I imagine even more motorists will avoid that specific toll plaza (as it can be done and I purposely have done it many times). Not that I took the toll roads much, but if I did need to get across town in a hurry and didn’t feel like using the congested arterials or Interstate 4, I would use them.
So, once again, thanks to this wonderful recession that we are currently in, an agency of the government gets to pass the buck onto you.
Yep, so glad I don’t live there anymore…
Honestly, even I am surprised at the traffic density on the expressways. Try riding down 408 between 4:00 to 6:00 and you’ll see for yourself why I wouldn’t be too disappointed if there were slightly less cars on the road. Believe me I was paying $100/month in tolls on my sunpass one month, and while I am not thrilled to go anywhere near that expense range again, the expressways are very well maintained and serve their purpose. I’m more of a proponent for the changes if they maintain a tier structure depending on time of day.
Yep, the Authority’s costs don’t go up,
const costs don’t go up
the Authority should just take the hit and defer maint like the old Penn Central RR
You are truly a genius.