Possible Improvements with One-Way Tolling

Three major improvements to both the Cape Coral and Midpoint Bridge Toll Plazas become feasible if One-Way Tolling becomes permanent.  Two of these improvements are shown in an animation at the bottom of this page (you may need to scroll down). The animation automatically cycles from the existing facility to an improved facility and back again.

During this One-Way tolling trial period, even though tolls are not collected in the eastbound direction, eastbound traffic must use the toll plaza lanes.  Traffic is slowed down due to the constricted nature of these lanes.  If one way tolling becomes permanent, the toll plazas can be redesigned so that these constrictions are removed, and traffic can flow without slowing.

The second improvement removes lane constrictions in the westbound direction, even though tolls will still be collected, by implementing what is known as Open Road Tolling.  Using Open Road Tolling, modifications are made to the toll facility, and vehicles using a transponder to pay the toll electronically move through the toll facility on regular roadway lanes. Antennas mounted over the lanes read transponders automatically, and LeeWay’s video Violation Enforcement System (VES) allows violators to be identified.

Vehicles without a transponder “exit” the road to pay their toll at attended toll booths.  Again, an animation at the bottom of this page illustrates these improvements. Please note that there will be a planning and design effort if changes are made, therefore, modifications are possible.

The third major improvement is equally important, even though it cannot be shown in a graphic.  One-Way Tolling allows tolls to be collected in a more efficient manner thereby keeping operating costs down.  The economics of a toll facility are very similar to those of a family that owns a home.  The bonds that financed the construction of the bridges are essentially mortgages that are paid off over many years at a fixed payment rate.  The payment does not change over time just like a standard fixed rate home mortgage.

However, tolls also pay for the cost of operating and maintaining the bridges.  As time passes, these costs go up with inflation just as costs for many household expenses increase.  Even though traffic usually increases from year to year, if the increase doesn't keep up with cost increases due to inflation, tolls may need to be raised to cover these rising costs.  The efficiency of One-Way Tolling allows LeeWay to hold operating costs down and reduce the possible need for a future toll increase.