No. The Palmetto Express lanes toll will vary based on the level of congestion as you enter the express lanes. Toll rates on the Palmetto Express lanes will be based on traffic conditions on the express lanes only, and not on the conditions of the non-tolled general purpose lanes. Roadway monitors placed on the project limits of the highway will provide continuous information about how many vehicles are on the express lanes; how fast they are going and how close together they are. This information will be used to determine whether tolls go up or down to provide the best condition possible. As the express lanes become more congested, toll rates increase. As the congestion goes down, toll rates decrease. This is called “Dynamic Tolling”.
The toll amount is displayed on the overhead electronic signs before each of the Palmetto Express lanes entrances so drivers have time to decide if to use the express lanes or stay in the general purpose lanes.
The SunPass Portable and the SunPass Mini are available at Publix, CVS/Pharmacy, Sedano’s and Navarro. They can also be purchased at Turnpike service plazas and Turnpike gas stations. For more information please visit www.sunpass.com or call SunPass Customer Service at 1-888-TOLL-FLA (1-888-865-5352).
No. You must have a SunPass account and transponder to use the Palmetto Express lanes. You will not be able to pay the toll with cash or through toll-by-plate. For additional information, please see the ENFORCEMENT section in this website.
Maintenance and repair of the State’s highways are major continuous costs. Plus operations, including the Transportation management Center, road Ranger Service, and Florida Highway Patrol, are recurring costs. Federal and State funds have been unable to keep up with the ongoing costs of operating the State’s highways. The tolls also offer a means to relieving traffic congestion without building new roads or widening the existing roads. The tolls would be the cost of increased mobility in the Palmetto Express lanes corridor without the adverse construction impacts. More importantly, the Palmetto Express lanes represent a totally different approach to reducing traffic congestion in south Florida.
Trucks with two axles will be allowed on the express lanes. Trucks with three or more axles will not be allowed unless they are designated as emergency vehicles responding to specific incidents.
The Palmetto Express lanes will benefit all drivers, regardless of their income or socio-economic level. The Palmetto Express project will not require any person from any socio-economic group to use the express lanes and pay a toll, instead, it will offer all persons in every group the choices of deciding for themselves which option works best for them on any given day.
It should also be noted that on the 95 Express project in Miami-Dade County recent figures show the average speed doubling in the general purpose lanes during peak periods in the peak periods’ direction which means that drivers who do not choose to use the express lanes are still receiving a significant benefit. Additionally, the Palmetto Express project will use enhanced incident management and traffic monitoring resources to help keep all lanes free and clear of road blocking events and maintain safety levels.
