6/21/07-Gov. Charlie Crist signed a bill into law allowing the Florida Department of Transportation to lease most toll roads in the state to private groups.
The leasing provision is included in a far-reaching transportation bill that applies to any existing toll facilities in the state’s highway system, except the Florida Turnpike. It also allows private groups to build and operate new roads.
The new law, previously HB985, allows regular toll increases on all “pay-as-you-go” routes, including the turnpike, to keep pace with inflation. Tolling authorities also could raise the fees beyond that at their discretion.
Leases would be limited to 50 years, though it does leave room for the possibility of extending those agreements to 75 years or more.
A House analysis of the effort did not report what the state collects each year in tolls, but it says leasing toll routes would help generate immediate cash that would help pay for $117 billion in road improvements through fiscal year 2025.
The analysis estimated that leasing Alligator Alley could be worth $3 billion for the state. The Pinellas Bayway could bring in $6 billion while the Sunshine Skyway could raise $8.2 billion.
The new law also boosts the state’s bonding capacity for the Florida Turnpike from $4.5 billion to $10 billion.

5/4/07-A bill headed to Gov. Charlie Crist’s desk would allow the Florida Department of Transportation to lease most toll roads in the state to private groups.
The Senate voted 37-2 Thursday, May 3, to approve the far-reaching transportation bill that would apply to any existing toll facilities in the state’s highway system, except the Florida Turnpike. House lawmakers followed suit with a 68-49 vote Friday, May 4, that cleared the way for the bill to advance to the governor’s suite.
HB985 would allow regular toll increases on all “pay to play” routes, including the turnpike, to keep pace with inflation. Tolling authorities also could raise the fees beyond that at their discretion.
Leases would be limited to 50 years, though it does leave room for the possibility of extending those agreements to 75 years or more.
Another provision in the transportation bill would boost the revenue bond cap for the Florida Turnpike from $4.5 billion to $10 billion. That would authorize more than $900 million in projects to be done immediately.
For bill status, call (850) 488-4371. In Florida, call 1-800-342-1827.

4/26/07-The House voted 78-37 to approve a bill that would allow the Florida Department of Transportation to lease most toll roads in the state to private groups. It has been forwarded to the Senate for further consideration.
HB985 would apply to any existing toll facilities in the state’s highway system, except the Florida Turnpike system. If the agreement for leasing an existing facility does not include provisions for additional capacity, the project must be approved by FDOT.
The bill would allow regular toll increases to keep pace with inflation. Companies also could raise the fees beyond that at their discretion.
Leases would be limited to 50 years, though it does leave room for the possibility of extending those agreements to 75 years or more.
Another provision in the bill would boost the revenue bond cap for the Florida Turnpike from $4.5 billion to $10 billion.
The bill is awaiting assignment to committee in the Senate.
For bill status, call (850) 488-4371. In Florida, call 1-800-342-1827.