After seven years of construction, FDOT has finally announced an opening date for its new I-4 Ultimate Express Lanes.
The newly-completed toll lanes will open to public traffic at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 26, following the completion of lane striping and safety checks along the 21-mile corridor.
FDOT will charge set prices per given segment costing roughly 17 cents per mile and running roughly $3 for westbound traffic and $3.50 for eastbound traffic. There will be no tollgates and drivers will need a SunPass or E-Pass transponder to pay their fees. Drivers without a transponder will have their license tags photographed as they exit the lanes and they will be billed in the mail along with a surcharge.
Following the soft-open/introductory phase, rates will be based on demand and the number of vehicles traveling in the lanes, with rates displayed overhead before each entrance.
Drivers are encouraged to drive slowly if they plan on using I-4 this week to allow drivers time to learn the new traffic flow.
Click HERE for more information.
Ken, they are not really doing toll-by-plate, but obviously they can’t stop anybody from entering the lanes.
Perhaps the better wording would be: “Drivers without a transponder will have their license tags photographed and they will be billed in the mail for tolls along with a **fine** ($25).
I guess you could consider it, really expensive toll-by-plate.
” Drivers without a transponder will have their license tags photographed as they exit the lanes and they will be billed in the mail along with a surcharge.” I thought they weren’t doing the toll-by-plate option. I hope they’ve decided to do it, as not having it was a recipe for confusion with so many other roads offering that option.
“Drivers are encouraged to drive slowly if they plan on using I-4 this week to allow drivers time to learn the new traffic flow.”
I like the optimism, but this isn’t Minnesota.