Daily News Briefs, May 10, 2022

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Average Daily Traffic On Suncoast Parkway Extension Reaches 14,500 Vehicles

Citrus County Chronicle reports, “The new ridership numbers for the Suncoast Parkway extension show a decent amount of drivers using it since it opened. From March 1 through April 30, the extended Suncoast Parkway — from U.S. 98 to State Road 44 — had an average daily traffic count of 14,500, according to Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (FTE).” The article notes, “Construction starts next year on extending the toll road 3 miles from State Road 44 to County Road 486. . . .”

Florida Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Florida Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) Tampa Bay-Hillsborough County FL Metro Area

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Florida Still Fails To Resolve (Or Substantively Discuss) A Garcon Bridge Toll Dispute

Pensacola News Journal reports, “Nearly 10 months have passed since Gov. Ron DeSantis announced he was moving to permanently lower the tolls on the Garcon Point Bridge and attempt to purchase the bridge from the bondholders who own it and transfer ownership to the state of Florida. During the July 2021 announcement, [then-FDOT Secretary Kevin Thibault] said the lower toll schedule would be implemented in the coming weeks. But as of now, the rate still sits at $4.50 for SunPass holders and $5 for cash drivers.” In a quest to explain the state’s failure to deliver on its promise, the newspaper reaches out to the governor’s office, FDOT and local officials, but gets no information.

Florida Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Issues of Law Santa Rosa Bay Bridge Authority

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Galveston Port Activity Interrupted By I-45 Bridge Closure

KTRK reports, TxDOT recently discovered cracks in the cross supports of of an I-45 bridge connecting Galveston to the Texas mainland, forcing state officials to close the bridge’s northbound span to trucks carrying heavy loads. The closure has interrupted vital cargo shipments to and from the Port of Galveston. (I-45 is one of just two surface transportation routes between Galveston Island and the mainland, and the only one rated for heavy vehicle use.) TxDOT will expedite replacement of the span, but its intermediate solution is to redirect northbound truck traffic onto a lane of the bridge’s southbound span. It started preparations for the lane shift over Mother’s Day weekend without giving Galveston officials adequate time to prepare, and the results were predictable. Galveston’s mayor and business community are expressing frustration with TxDOT’s handling of what promises to be a major traffic congestion problem.

The Daily News provides local coverage of this story.

Highway and Bridge Maintenance Texas Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)

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These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.

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