Frequently Asked Questions


What improvements are under consideration for I-75?
Why were these studies not done sooner for better planning with FDOT’s project?
Why are tolls being considered, don’t my gas taxes pay for the roadway improvements?
What are Express Toll Lanes and their benefits?
What is the benefit of tolling lanes on I-75?
Who could use the express lanes (trucks, buses, emergency vehicles, single riders, etc.)?
Why weren’t toll lanes planned from the beginning?
If we build two new lanes now, one in each direction, how long will it be before additional lanes are added?
Why don’t we toll all lanes on I-75?
Would cash transactions be allowed on the toll lanes? How would visitors to our area use the express lanes?
What would the toll rates be?
How much time will I save if I use the Toll lane?
Won’t the Toll Lanes become congested also over time?
Would the express lanes operate as toll lanes during emergencies such as Hurricane Evacuation?
How would access in and out of the toll lanes be provided?


What improvements are under consideration for I-75?

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) plans to construct a third lane in each direction (northbound and southbound) and construct improvements to the interchangees at Daniels Parkway and Immokalee Road. Construction is scheduled to begin this fall (2007). Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, the toll division of the FDOT, is conducting a study to evaluate several alternatives to the widening of I-75, including various combinations of both toll and non-toll lanes. Similarly, the Southwest Florida Expressway Authority is studying the feasibility of advancing the addition of more lanes on I-75 through the use of tolls. These additional lanes are referred to as Express Toll Lanes (ETL).

Why were these studies not done sooner for better planning with FDOT’s project?

For the past few years Southwest Florida has been studying different mechanisms that could result in bringing transportation improvements to the region sooner. The State Legislature approved the formation of the Southwest Florida Expressway Authority in 2005, and the Authority held its first meeting in May, 2006. In the meantime, FDOT received the funding it needed to build lanes 5 and 6 and is proceeding with the project. The Expressway Authority is studying ways to “piggyback” on this project in the most compatible manner possible.

Why are tolls being considered, don’t my gas taxes pay for the roadway improvements?

Tolling is being considered on I-75 for two reasons. First, it serves as an additional funding source to gas tax revenues that have not been keeping pace with inflation and the need for transportation improvements. Second, tolls would manage traffic levels on the ETLs. Managing the traffic volumes on the ETLs provides a consistent level of service on those lanes and a reliable travel time.

What are Express Toll Lanes and their benefits?

The concept of Express Toll Lanes incorporates a range of approaches that can be applied to both existing and new highway facilities to move auto and bus traffic more efficiently in a transportation corridor. Express Toll Lanes would give people the choice of paying a toll to avoid congestion by driving in reserved free-flowing lanes on a given trip. Tolls, which would be collected electronically, would vary by time of day and be based on demand - measured by congestion in both the general purpose and Express Toll Lanes. Much like discount pricing programs offered by utilities, airlines, and transit systems to encourage off-peak use, Express Toll Lanes can be designed and operated to encourage and reward drivers who change the time of their travel from peak to off-peak times when they have the flexibility to do so. Another example familiar to all of us is that of long distance telephone service and cell phones pricing that often is structured to encourage use when overall demand is lower - i.e., nights and weekends.

What is the benefit of tolling lanes on I-75?

The Express Toll Lanes (ETL) will provide the revenue source that will generate the funding required to build the further expansion of I-75 much sooner than can be relied upon from other funding sources. This is particularly important on this I-75 corridor, where it is apparent that traffic demand far exceeds capacity. The ETLs concept can provide needed highway lane capacity and an alternative to congestion much sooner than traditional approaches allow. In addition, ETLs would give travelers the choice of paying for something they cannot always count on: a reliable trip when they have to get where they are going on time. Those who could benefit include:

Who could use the express lanes (trucks, buses, emergency vehicles, single riders, etc.)?

No specific decisions have been made about who could use the express lanes. It is very likely that cars, busses and emergency vehicles would be allowed. No decision has been made on larger trucks.

Why weren’t toll lanes planned from the beginning?

When I-75 was originally constructed, tolls were not used on interstate facilities as a matter of public policy. As demand for new roadways continues to outpace the funding available, changes in Federal legislation have occurred in the policies related to the tolling of interstate highways. The most recent environmental study of I-75 in Lee and Collier County included toll possibilities, including those currently being considered. Many toll roads are being built around the State of Florida due to lack of adequate funding from other sources. The “user-fee” policy for building roads will only grow in time.

If we build two new lanes now, one in each direction, how long will it be before additional lanes are added?

Although adding a single lane in each direction would provide some congestion relief, current projections indicate that the traffic volumes in the resulting three lanes in each direction would exceed their capacity either immediately or in the near future. Additional lanes could not be added using traditional tax funding sources because no funding has been identified by FDOT before 2030. Additional lanes could be financed with tolls and be constructed, perhaps as soon as 2015.

Why don’t we toll all lanes on I-75?

Tolling all lanes on I-75 in Lee and Collier Counties could be considered; however, this would require all travelers on I-75, from Immokalee Road to Alico Road, to pay the toll or use another roadway. Not surprisingly, focus groups held as part of this study have indicated that having the choice between toll and non-toll lanes is important to drivers.

Would cash transactions be allowed on the toll lanes? How would visitors to our area use the express lanes?

No, toll collection would be all electronic, likely using SunPass and LeeWay transponders. Advancements in electronic tolling technologies will allow for more options to use the all-electronic toll collection system. The Florida Department of Transportation anticipates introducing a new, lower cost sticker transponder by December 2007 that can be easily purchased and replenished using either cash or credit at major retailers. The Department also has a “Pay by Plate” pilot program underway on the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway in Tampa. This program captures a picture of a vehicle’s license plate and sends a bill for the tolls to the owner of the car. This type of system is already in use in Canada and Australia, and is planned for other facilities. Additionally, third party vendors have expressed interest in providing a large portion of the rental car fleet in Florida with transponders, the device most commonly used in electronic toll collection. The vendor is responsible for paying the toll and then collecting from the rental car customer. This type of system is already in use in the northeastern U.S.

What would the toll rates be?

The “per mile” toll rates have not been determined at this time, but could range from 9 fe. However they will vary by the time of day and potentially by ETL segment. Typically, higher toll rates are assessed during peak travel periods with lower rates being assessed during off-peak travel periods.

How much time will I save if I use the Toll lane?

Time Savings for any particular trips will depend on the length of the trip and the amount of congestion. Using a typical trip from Naples to Southwest Florida International airport (20 miles on I-75 to Alico Road), times savings of 15 to 20 minutes, or more, could likely be expected during congested times, particularly as traffic continues to increase.

Won’t the Toll Lanes become congested also over time?

By using tolls that vary by time of day, it is possible to control the amount of traffic that uses the toll lane at any given time of the day. This type of toll pricing has proven successful in several projects in the United States, and does work to keep the express lanes flowing smoothly at most times. As traffic increases on I-75, toll rates will be adjusted to continue to keep the express lanes free flowing.

Would the express lanes operate as toll lanes during emergencies such as Hurricane Evacuation?

It is common for the Governor to suspend tolls during emergencies such as hurricane evacuation. This would also apply to the Express lanes. Further, consideration can be given in the design of the express lanes to facilitate all lanes to flow in the direction of the evacuation. This would allow a significant improvement to evacuation capacity while providing access to emergency vehicles that need to move into the areas being evacuated.

How would access in and out of the toll lanes be provided?

There are several alternatives based on timing and sequencing between FDOT’s project and the addition of tolls. The earliest possible implementation of ETL’s would consist of making the lanes being built by FDOT toll lanes. In this case, heavy striping would delineate the separation between the toll lane and the general use lane. Although the access in this case would not be physically restricted, the approved access points would be clearly delineated and signed. Other alternatives with physical separation between the tolls lanes and the general purpose lanes would provide several access points along the 35-mile section of I-75. In this case, access and egress to the ETLs would be provided via slip ramps located between interchanges along selected segments of the ETLs. Entrances will be located beyond the on-ramps at interchanges, and exits will be located in advance of off-ramps at interchanges.