4/27/04-H1615, a bill that would create a board with the power to add toll lanes to Interstate 75 in the southwest part of the state, has been incorporated into a similar Senate bill – S2938.

3/9/04-A House bill would create an expressway authority with the power to add toll lanes to Interstate 75 in the southwest part of the state.
HB1615, introduced by Rep. Mike Davis, R-Naples, would allow the formation of an eight-member Southwest Florida Expressway Authority. Its sole mission would be to help expand the Florida Department of Transportation’s plan to widen I-75 to 10 lanes in Collier and Lee counties by 2010, instead of 2030.
The authority would pay for the added lanes in the two counties, which lie along the state’s gulf coast north of the Everglades, by buying bonds and paying them off through user fees or tolls.
The amount of money the tolls would generate is not known. All toll revenue would stay with the I-75 authority.
If approved by the Legislature and governor, the authority could be established after July 1.
The bill is before the House Appropriations and Transportation committees.
For bill status, call (850) 488-4371. In Florida, call 1-800-342-1827.