ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Drivers using the I-4 Express lanes will soon see fluctuating toll rates as the Florida Department of Transportation implements a dynamic tolling system starting Monday.
The new system is designed to ease congestion and maintain consistent travel speeds by adjusting toll prices based on real-time traffic conditions.
When traffic in the express lanes is heavy, tolls will rise. Conversely, when traffic is light, the tolls will decrease. FDOT aims to keep vehicles moving at a minimum speed of 50 mph, according to a statement from Orlando District 5 Commissioner Shan Rose.
Electronic signs above the express lanes will display the current toll rate before each entry point, allowing drivers to make informed decisions. The rate displayed at the time of entry is the amount drivers will be charged.
FDOT has not disclosed toll price ranges more specifically than stating the maximum amount is currently capped at $3 per segment, adding tolls “are not expected to rise significantly upon transitioning to dynamic tolling.” The department states that the system is automated — using sensors and traffic data to determine pricing without manual intervention — and that tolls will fluctuate at 15-minute intervals based solely on the amount of traffic in the express lanes.
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For those who prefer to avoid tolls, free general-use lanes and alternate routes remain available. FDOT encourages motorists to review posted toll rates before entering the express lanes.
Travel data indicate tolls are not expected to rise significantly upon transitioning to dynamic tolling. Drivers are most likely to see a small increase on the busiest segments near downtown Orlando during peak hours of 6-9 a.m. and 3-7 p.m. weekdays.
i4express.com FAQ page — "Dynamic Tolling" (excerpt)
Commuters have expressed mixed reactions to the change.
Beverly Wu, a frequent toll road user, voiced concerns about potential cost increases.
“Hopefully it doesn’t go up too much because I do have to use a lot of the toll roads to get around,” Wu said.
Another driver, Leah Groulx, shared her experience with toll expenses.
“I think I spent $200 on tolls in a year when I was on rotations for school. So it was a lot of money,” she said.
“I’m already paying tolls and on top of that, I’ve got to pay more of that to get somewhere faster,” said Dennis Gonzalez. “To raise it now, it lets me know that they’re making money out of it. I’m not happy about it, but there’s nothing I can do about it.”
Corey Hicks said the move is “overkill.”
“We spend enough money on gas and fuel these days to where we don’t need to throwing into something we already paid for years ago,” he said.
Hailey Wood, however, had a different viewpoint.
“I’d be willing to pay more. I sit in traffic all day, every day. More access to toll lanes is better for me,” she said.
FDOT assures drivers that if their average speed ever falls below 40 mph while using the express lanes, they will only be charged the minimum toll, per state statute.
For updates and more information, visit I4Express.com.
