Tolls Rates Rise On Turnpike, Other State Toll Roads

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami) - If you drive the Turnpike or take the Sawgrass Expressway, it's going to cost you more as tolls were raised on Monday several state toll roads.

Turnpike officials said rates went up an average about 2.1 percent at each tollbooth for drivers who pay with SunPass or use the electric license plate tolling system. Although the rates have stayed the same for those who pay cash, they will still end up paying more.

The state's increase will affect tolls charged by the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority on roads like the Shula Expressway, the Snapper Creek Expressway and State Road 112. The effect on travelers depends on how often they use toll roads.

The state said the extra money collected will be used to ease congestion and pay for improvements on the toll roads in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, but the real reason why rates have risen is because state law requires it.

At least once every 5 years, toll officials are required to look at the consumer price index and adjust toll rates based on any increase.

To see a list of the roads affected and what estimated new tolls will be, click here.