Veterans Expressway Plan Includes Removal of Manned Toll Plazas

Motorists who use the Veterans Expressway will enjoy smoother sailing in the years ahead as a $236.1 million widening project moves forward.

The project involves adding two lanes in each direction from Memorial Highway to Gunn. It also includes the replacement of the Anderson Road Toll Plaza and an initiative to convert the full 14 miles of the road to all-electronic tolling, AET. This means that toll takers will no longer accept cash payments from drivers.

“We went to AET (all-electronic tolling) on the southern 47 miles of the Turnpike just about a year ago,” explained Christa Deason, spokeswoman for Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise. “ It’s provided great congestion relief and improved safety because cars don’t have to start and stop at the plazas.”

A public meeting has been set for April 10 from 5-7 p.m. at the Perrone Recreation Center, 5120 Kelly Rd., in Town ‘N Country to address motorists’ questions about the project. Anyone interested in learning more about the proposal is invited to attend the meeting where turnpike enterprise staff will be on hand to explain the project.

The project will take part in two phases with construction expected to start this fall and end in 2015.

The first phase will focus on the addition of the two lanes in each direction, the replacement of the Anderson Toll Plaza and a realignment of the Anderson Road ramps, according to the project summary report. Phase II focuses on the conversion of the roadway to all-electronic toll taking. It also includes the demolition of mainline barrier and ramp toll plazas.

What About those Tolls?

Residents and tourists who don’t have SunPass devices installed in their vehicles won’t have to worry about fines for not paying tolls. According to Deason, a toll-by-plate system will be put into place.

“This is similar to the process currently used on the Selmon Expressway in Tampa,” she said.

This system uses an image taken of license plates to identify the person responsible for payment. Like SunPass, it enables drivers to prepay for tolls. More information is available on Florida's Turnpike Enterprise website.

As for tourists, Deason said the enterprise is working to raise awareness about the upcoming changes.

“We are already working with Visit Florida, various chambers and visitor/convention centers to get the word out,” she said. “Most rental car companies already have a program in place for payment on toll roads.”

About 150,000 vehicles travel the Veterans Expressway each day. An estimated 75 percent of motorists who use the road have SunPass devices, according to the project summary.

What Happens to the Toll Takers?

Since the project effectively removes manned toll booths from the 14-mile road, toll takers will no longer be needed.

Deason, however, said there's time to make sure those currently employed find positions.

"We have plenty of time and the contractor works to find the collectors jobs at other facilities in the area or move them into administrative positions within the company," she said.

For more information about the project, visit Florida's Turnpike Enterprise website.