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Drop In Toll Road Drivers May Mean Expressway Authority Budget Cuts

Posted: 5:55 pm EDT August 4, 2008Updated: 5:59 pm EDT August 4, 2008

There's been a huge drop on local toll roads. Eyewitness News reported on the drop in the past, but now it's worse. The Expressway Authority is making cuts, because it's such a big problem.

A 2 percent cut across the board will be a major discussion topic at a meeting next month and it's all because toll booths on the 528 have seen a up to a 10 percent decrease in traffic.

"Even though my car gets 32 miles to the gallon, I can't afford to drive," said driver Paula Magee.

Magee used to drive every day up to 100 miles a week. Now she consolidates her trips, driving only one day a week.

"I use that day and then that's it. I go home and park the car," she said.

Drivership is down across the state and now, it's hitting the Expressway Authority harder than ever seen before. The numbers are down system-wide. The Expressway Authority reporting almost 4 percent fewer drivers on the 417 this past June as compared to June 2007. On the 528, there's been an overall decrease of almost 7 percent. That includes 10 percent fewer tolls being paid at a 528 toll plaza alone.

Combined, those numbers represent 1.2 million fewer cars on the road in June 2008 as compared to last year. The board has ordered that 2 percent budget cut now and could cut more later. That could put future Expressway projects on hold, but for now projects already in the works will not be delayed.

"Oh, absolutely not. First and foremost, we want to maintain the quality of our roads and the quality of service our customers have come to expect," said Lindsay Hodges, Expressway Authority.

The Expressway Authority isn't the only entity showing fewer cars on the road. An FDOT study released last month showed fewer drivers, as well.

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