I recently attended a meeting to learn about the I-75 expansion project along with the proposed tolls for I-75. The first thing that all residents of Collier and Lee County should do is go to the Southwest Florida Expressway Authority (SWFEA) web site and register your opinion (click here). The SWFEA is actively soliciting input.
In 2003 the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) approved a plan to widen I-75 to ten lanes in portions of Lee and Collier Counties. The current plans and budget call for one additional lane to be added in each direction. Construction is to begin later this year and be completed in 2010. The FDOT budgeted $470m for the six lane project from Golden Gate Parkway north to SR 80. This was to include interchange improvements at Daniels Parkway and Immokolee. Road. However with the bids opened in February of 2007, the budgeted $470m will only support additional lanes between Golden Gate Parkway and Colonial Boulevard with only the Immokolee Road interchange being improved. Conventional funding for the ten lane project would not be available until the year 2030!
Enter the tolls. With ~85% of all I-75 trips beginning and ending in Collier and Lee Counties it's imperative to improve the capacity as soon as possible. The recommendation is to widen I-75 to ten lanes between Immokolee Road and Alico Road, the most heavily traveled portion, by 2014. The funding for this would be through tolls for inside express lanes. The additional funds would also support a "Road Ranger" service to deal with breakdowns and accidents in an efficient matter further improving service.
How much? Well that will vary at different time during the day depending on volume and demand. The rates that were mentioned are between $.08 and $.28 per mile. A twenty mile round trip to the airport, for example, would cost between $1.60 and $5.60.
There are several different alternatives for tolling but, the good news (as it seems that tolls will be inevitable) is that there will be no toll booths! All tolls will be collected via some type of transponder and high speed readers.
If you are concerned that residents will end up paying for roads used by tourists don't worry. The new style pre-paid transponders will likely be available for purchase at the car rental counters, supermarkets, and drug stores to name a few possible locations.
If nothing else, click over and express your opinion.
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