Express Lanes on a Toll Road?

Call it a premium toll. Unlike most of the nation's managed lanes which exist adjacent to untolled, general purpose lanes, the "general use lanes" on Tampa's Veterans Expressway (SR 589) are tolled. Express lanes will be dynamically priced

2 minute read

May 24, 2018, 9:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


The second section of express lanes opened Wednesday on Veterans Expressway / SR 589 in Tampa, marking the completion of Phase 2A of the Florida Express Lanes project for west central Florida, reports Meredyth Censullo for WFLA News on May 23. That makes for nine miles of express lanes in each direction on the 57-mile toll road operated by Florida's Turnpike Enterprise, a business unit of the Florida Department of Transportation created by Gov. Jeb Bush in 2002.

Initially, there will not be a premium charge for using the express lanes, although motorists will be penalized for lacking a transponder allowing electronic toll collection via SunPass. Cash or TOLL-BY-PLATE, which can be used in the general use lanes, isn't an option.

An earlier post was critical of the express lanes planned for Florida's Turnpike, calling them an example of "double tolling." However, all road users, including carpools, are tolled only once, regardless of which lane they select. Only one lane will be dynamically priced later this year (completing Phase 2B), which "will include the general toll, plus the variable express lane toll when applicable," according to last summer's Florida Express Lanes newsletter.

The higher-priced toll, for motorists with SunPasses willing to pay a premium, will allow for faster speeds, illustrating why some planners prefer to use the term, value pricing, rather than congestion pricing. In addition, registered buses and vanpools are exempt from paying express lanes tolls.

Hat tip to IBTTA SmartBrief.

 

Wednesday, May 23, 2018 in WFLA

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City