ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Although it’s been nearly two weeks since Hurricane Ian slammed into Florida, many toll roads remain free for drivers.
While not having to pay tolls is a good thing for many drivers, toll operators say it’s costing them money.
The Central Florida Expressway Authority estimates it is losing $1.6 million per day in uncollected tolls.
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Central Florida Expressway spokesman Brian Hutchings said the Authority also didn’t know when toll collections would resume.
“We have not received any word yet,” Hutchings said “We’ve been checking the governor’s website … religiously for updates.”
In its yearly budget filings, the Authority projected it would collect approximately $537 million in tolls and fees during the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
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That money is needed to cover the cost of maintenance, repaving projects, and new construction.
Officials said it remains to be seen which projects, if any, could be delayed because of the loss in revenue.
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“Once they are the toll suspensions lifted, and we really have a good handle of the dollar amount that we’re looking at, then we’re going to have those conversations,” Hutchings said.
As to when drivers could see the tolls return, the only definitive date would be the mandated 60-day expiration date of Nov. 22.
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