6/13/05-Gov. Jeb Bush signed a bill into law June 8 to create an expressway authority with the power to add toll lanes to Interstate 75 in the southwestern part of the state.
The new law, previously HB401, won unanimous support in the Senate after easily passing the House.
Sponsored by Rep. Mike Davis, R-Naples, it allows local county commissioners to set up a Southwest Florida Expressway Authority that would have the ability to issue bonds to pay for adding up to four toll lanes to plans already under way to add two lanes with public money for I-75 in Collier and Lee counties.
Both the state and federal governments would still have to approve the construction of toll lanes on the interstate, and the project could cost more than $770 million.
The proposal gives county commissioners in the two counties, which lie along the state’s Gulf Coast north of the Everglades, final say on any changes to the expressway authority’s power. It also allows Charlotte County to join the authority in the future.

5/26/05-The Senate has unanimously approved a bill that would create an expressway authority with the power to add toll lanes to Interstate 75 in the southwestern part of the state.
The bill, which previously passed the House, now heads to Gov. Jeb Bush for his signature.
Sponsored by Rep. Mike Davis, R-Naples, HB401 would allow local county commissioners to set up a Southwest Florida Expressway Authority that would have the ability to issue bonds to pay for adding up to four toll lanes to plans already under way to add two lanes with public money for I-75 in Collier and Lee counties.
Both the state and federal governments would still have to approve the construction of toll lanes on the interstate, and the project could cost more than $770 million.
The proposal gives county commissioners in the two counties, which lie along the state’s Gulf Coast north of the Everglades, final say on any changes to the expressway authority’s power. It also allows Charlotte County to join the authority in the future.
For bill status, call (850) 488-4371. In Florida, call 1-800-342-1827.

4/12/05-The House has overwhelmingly approved a bill to create an expressway authority with the power to add toll lanes to Interstate 75 in the southwestern part of the state. It now moves to the Senate for further consideration.
Sponsored by Rep. Mike Davis, R-Naples, HB401 would allow local county commissioners to set up a Southwest Florida Expressway Authority that would have the ability to issue bonds to pay for adding up to four toll lanes to plans already under way to add two lanes with public money for I-75 in Collier and Lee counties.
Both the state and federal governments would still have to approve the construction of toll lanes on the interstate, and the project could cost more than $770 million.
The proposal gives county commissioners in the two counties, which lie along the state’s Gulf Coast north of the Everglades, final say on any changes to the expressway authority’s power. It also allows Charlotte County to join the authority in the future.
For bill status, call (850) 488-4371. In Florida, call 1-800-342-1827.

3/1/05-The House Transportation Committee has unanimously approved a bill to create an expressway authority with the power to add toll lanes to Interstate 75 in the southwestern part of the state.
HB401, sponsored by Rep. Mike Davis, R-Naples, would allow local county commissioners to set up a Southwest Florida Expressway Authority that would have the ability to float bonds to pay for adding toll lanes to expansion plans already under way for I-75 in Collier and Lee counties.
Both the state and federal governments would still have to approve the construction of toll lanes on the interstate.
The proposal gives county commissioners in the two counties, which lie along the state’s gulf coast north of the Everglades, final say on any changes to the expressway authority’s power. The bill also allows Charlotte County to join the authority in the future.
The measure passed out of the House Transportation Committee Feb. 22 and has two more committee stops in the House. Davis, the bill’s sponsor, said he’s hoping to have the bill up at its next committee hearing during the first week of the legislative session that begins March 8.
For bill status, call (850) 488-4371. In Florida, call 1-800-342-1827.
A similar Senate bill – S102 – is in multiple Senate committees.