Florida

[D-Dey65]

Turnpike-417 flyover ramps officially open as of today!



https://floridasturnpike.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Floridas-Turnpike-Enterprise-Opens-New-Ramps-at-SR-417-Interchange-in-Orlando.pdf

I feel like so many flyovers replacing cloverleafs would be simplified if they used this design.

[RG407]

Has anybody been on FL-46 as of late in the Wekiva Parkway construction area?

OSM is showing that FL-46 has been realigned onto the Wekiva alignment between Old CR-46A & Exit 44 and would like some confirmation on this so I can update TM's FL-46 file with this change.
https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=15/28.8137/-81.4929

OSM looks to be accurate.  SR 46 isn't signed very well on the surface streets, but you do have to use the interchange with Wekiva Parkway/SR 429 in order to stay on 46.

[rickmastfan67]

Has anybody been on FL-46 as of late in the Wekiva Parkway construction area?

OSM is showing that FL-46 has been realigned onto the Wekiva alignment between Old CR-46A & Exit 44 and would like some confirmation on this so I can update TM's FL-46 file with this change.
https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=15/28.8137/-81.4929

OSM looks to be accurate.  SR 46 isn't signed very well on the surface streets, but you do have to use the interchange with Wekiva Parkway/SR 429 in order to stay on 46.

Thanks for the confirmation.

Also, seems I need to split FL-46 into 2 separate files now anyways.
https://goo.gl/maps/mGwjUvncU6wduVZS6

Do you know the status of signage between FL-453 (Toll) & CR-46A?  Is there a similar "END" shield @ FL-453?  Only reason I'm asking is because of this on the end of FL-453 saying FL-46 only goes West from there (StreetView, February '20).

I'd have no problem ATM just cutting out the 'CR-46A' segment since it's pretty well signed and dealing with the segment between FL-453 & CR-46A at a later time, due to signage at least being still present as of February '20 per StreetView & the latest GIS data (from 05/22/21) still staying that's part of FL-46.  (Weirdly enough, they say CR-46A is SR-46A in the GIS, but that might just be temporary.)

[Great Lakes Roads]

As of today (May 28, 2021), Florida's Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) now accepts EZ-Pass on their system!

[kevinb1994]

As of today (May 28, 2021), Florida's Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) now accepts EZ-Pass on their system!

Woo-hoo! Finally!

[NJRoadfan]

Figures they start taking E-ZPass right after I buy a SunPass Guess I'll close that account and rip the sticker off.

[kevinb1994]

Figures they start taking E-ZPass right after I buy a SunPass Guess I'll close that account and rip the sticker off.

My dad keeps forgetting to cancel our EZPass account. We've had E-Pass since the last time we were going to Disney World.

[jmacswimmer]

Interesting that SunPass users will have to purchase a new transponder in order to use their SunPass accounts in any E-ZPass states not named GA or NC, but I presume it's due to most E-ZPass states being unable to read the existing SunPass stickers.

But good to know for any future trips to FL I can just use my existing E-ZPass and (more importantly) not have to deal with tolls-by-mail! (paging vdeane - you no longer have to shunpike the Homestead Extension! )

[NJRoadfan]

E-ZPass roadways don't have readers for the ISO 6B SeGo RFID sticker transponders used by SunPass and E-Pass. This is really a case of another toll agency bending backwards to support the ancient active transponder tech and not true inter-op. FTE likely retrofitted new multi-protocol lane readers for the IAG tags.

I find it frustrating that the E-ZPass IAG hasn't pushed for passive sticker tag readers on their member toll roads. Eventually the existing equipment has to be replaced and might as well phase in the newer technology in the process. The stickers are much cheaper to make and you don't have to deal with a battery going dead.

[ran4sh]

I agree.

And the only advantage of the hard case transponder is that they can be moved between different cars. But that's not an inherent advantage, because the sticker type transponder could simply be redesigned to be removable.

[1995hoo]

I agree.

And the only advantage of the hard case transponder is that they can be moved between different cars. But that's not an inherent advantage, because the sticker type transponder could simply be redesigned to be removable.

It is removable. You just use tape to fasten it to the windshield.

[vdeane]

I agree.

And the only advantage of the hard case transponder is that they can be moved between different cars. But that's not an inherent advantage, because the sticker type transponder could simply be redesigned to be removable.

There's also the ability to record the entry point and transmit it back, but I'm not sure if that capability is still used, especially given how much longer the virtual ticket system tolls on the Thruway take to post than the virtual barrier tolls (except 24-25 and 25-25A, due to the need to guess whether one used I-88, requiring the virtual ticket system toll to the west to post first).

I agree.

And the only advantage of the hard case transponder is that they can be moved between different cars. But that's not an inherent advantage, because the sticker type transponder could simply be redesigned to be removable.

It is removable. You just use tape to fasten it to the windshield.

That's more of a workaround than intrinsic functionality.

[1995hoo]

It was interesting, driving down the Turnpike between I-75 and Broward County on Thursday, I noted the "Payment Methods Accepted"  signs all had something covered up in silver. I told my wife I guessed those were E-ZPass logos. I'll have to remove the E-ZPass for the drive back north. 

[NJRoadfan]

They updated the SunPass smartphone app with the new color scheme and branding of the website. Gone with the green and in with the blue!

[ran4sh]

I agree.

And the only advantage of the hard case transponder is that they can be moved between different cars. But that's not an inherent advantage, because the sticker type transponder could simply be redesigned to be removable.

It is removable. You just use tape to fasten it to the windshield.

That is what I do, but the toll agency isn't instructing drivers to mount them that way, so there aren't many drivers that do that.

[1995hoo]

I note the Florida's Turnpike website shows Minnesota as a state that will be accepting E-ZPass (and the new "SunPass Pro"  device) starting sometime in the near future.

[oscar]

I note the Florida's Turnpike website shows Minnesota as a state that will be accepting E-ZPass (and the new "SunPass Pro"  device) starting sometime in the near future.

Perhaps as soon as this summer.

[roadman65]

I had a guy who was an Ohio EZ Pass customer whom it registered in my toll lane on Polk Parkway in Lakeland.  So it's now interchangeable.

[1995hoo]

I had a guy who was an Ohio EZ Pass customer whom it registered in my toll lane on Polk Parkway in Lakeland.  So it's now interchangeable.

Our SunPass transactions on Thursday all posted to the SunPass account and none posted to the E-ZPass even though I hadn't removed it from the windshield, so I guess it really wasn't working until yesterday. 

[RG407]

Has anybody been on FL-46 as of late in the Wekiva Parkway construction area?

OSM is showing that FL-46 has been realigned onto the Wekiva alignment between Old CR-46A & Exit 44 and would like some confirmation on this so I can update TM's FL-46 file with this change.
https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=15/28.8137/-81.4929

OSM looks to be accurate.  SR 46 isn't signed very well on the surface streets, but you do have to use the interchange with Wekiva Parkway/SR 429 in order to stay on 46.

Thanks for the confirmation.

Also, seems I need to split FL-46 into 2 separate files now anyways.
https://goo.gl/maps/mGwjUvncU6wduVZS6

Do you know the status of signage between FL-453 (Toll) & CR-46A?  Is there a similar "END" shield @ FL-453?  Only reason I'm asking is because of this on the end of FL-453 saying FL-46 only goes West from there (StreetView, February '20).

I'd have no problem ATM just cutting out the 'CR-46A' segment since it's pretty well signed and dealing with the segment between FL-453 & CR-46A at a later time, due to signage at least being still present as of February '20 per StreetView & the latest GIS data (from 05/22/21) still staying that's part of FL-46.  (Weirdly enough, they say CR-46A is SR-46A in the GIS, but that might just be temporary.)

As far as I know, SR 46 is signed as normal west of the construction that's being done around where SR 46, CR 46A and SR 429 all mingle.  I have no idea why there was an END sign in that Streetview shot, but I think it was an error.  It's pretty confusing around there because of the construction and realignments of 46 and 46A.

[roadman65]

Some car traveling west on FL 570 lost control of his car, hit an empty toll booth, flipped to its side, and slid around until he hit the concrete wall.

Thankfully the driver was unscathed and that no one was inside the booth (As it's not used anymore except if the usual cash lane is down) as the car got totaled and the side of the booth was sheared off.

Was less than 50 feet away and saw it but nothing out of the ordinary before the car crashed.  I couldn't even tell the trooper what the driver had done to flip himself.

Scary situation as many drivers speed through the cash lanes at 70 or greater thinking that it's no big deal. 

Another reason to go all open road tolling.

[Plutonic Panda]

I don't understand keeping old toll booths at all. They are ugly. The Golden Gate and Bay Bridge still has their toll booths standing as well requiring traffic to come to a crawl though them.

[DeaconG]

I don't understand keeping old toll booths at all. They are ugly. The Golden Gate and Bay Bridge still has their toll booths standing as well requiring traffic to come to a crawl though them.

Money. Ducats. Simoleons. Quatloos. Gold-pressed latinum. As in LACK OF.

[formulanone]

I don't understand keeping old toll booths at all. They are ugly. The Golden Gate and Bay Bridge still has their toll booths standing as well requiring traffic to come to a crawl though them.

Money. Ducats. Simoleons. Quatloos. Gold-pressed latinum. As in LACK OF.

Lakeland-area radio station can create a Toll Booth Smash-a-Thon; bring your own demolition equipment and haul it away! We'll be giving away prizes and food and T-shirts that say "I don't quite work for FDOT". Come on Publix, show some love for this idea...help the community, save lives, promote technology, provide the wings and sub sandwiches.

[DeaconG]

I don't understand keeping old toll booths at all. They are ugly. The Golden Gate and Bay Bridge still has their toll booths standing as well requiring traffic to come to a crawl though them.

Money. Ducats. Simoleons. Quatloos. Gold-pressed latinum. As in LACK OF.

Lakeland-area radio station can create a Toll Booth Smash-a-Thon; bring your own demolition equipment and haul it away! We'll be giving away prizes and food and T-shirts that say "I don't quite work for FDOT". Come on Publix, show some love for this idea...help the community, save lives, promote technology, provide the wings and sub sandwiches.

Have Krispy Kreme throw in warm donuts and it's ON!