A state toll relief program brought into effect in 2023 expired on Monday, meaning Florida drivers could be paying more in the new year.

“The growth in Central Florida, especially in this area, has been very significant. Any regular driver of SR-429 knows exactly what I’m talking about,” said Will Hawthorne, director of engineering for the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX). Hawthorne was one of several officials who spoke recently at a virtual public forum aimed at educating the public on a planned expansion. Growth like that has not only outperformed our projections, but most of those used throughout the State of Florida,” said Hawthorne. “We have always planned to turn it into ten lanes,” Hawthorne said during the virtual meeting.