ORLANDO, Fla. — The new Interstate 4 express lanes are getting paying drivers around slowdowns in the general use lanes and a handful of people are reaping the rewards.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
The tolls have been open for more than a week now, and so far David Parks with the Florida Department of Transportation said the lanes have proved to be very popular.
According to FDOT’s most recent data, on the first Monday the toll lanes were open there were 228,000 transactions. That’s when the lanes were free.
Even though the lanes now cost money, FDOT said it is still seeing a lot of demand.
READ: I-4 express lanes: What you need to know
“A lot of motorists are taking advantage,” he said.
FDOT said driver demand is what they expect, and when asked if they are in fact reducing overall congestion, Parks explained, “We’re starting to see drivers are using them but we want to give it a little more time and see how people adjust.”
The lanes cost 50 cents per tolling segment right now. It costs drivers $3.50 to take the express lanes the entire way eastbound and $3 to travel the full length in the westbound lanes.
READ: I-4 Express: Stickers along lanes display critical information in case of emergency situations
People are paying up.
“Convenience is everything, depends on how much your time is worth for you that day,” said Brian Huntley.
Some people haven’t given the new express lanes a shot and some say they never will.
“I will avoid I-4,” said Rachelle Ogirus.
READ: Watch your speed: Troopers issue 77 speeding tickets on I-4 express lanes opening weekend
But remember, with these express lanes there is a shared benefit. If people are paying to get on the toll lanes, that means fewer cars on the mainline.
Either way, some drivers aren’t sold.
“For those who use it, kudos to you, but I don’t have the patience for it,” Ogirus said.
FDOT is collecting data and analyzing the numbers to start dynamic tolling on the express lanes.
The more traffic, the more it will cost you.
READ: FHP: 2 injured in wrong-way crash on I-4 Express
So when will that start? Parks told Eyewitness News that there isn’t a time frame for it yet.
FDOT said some people are treating the express lanes like fast lanes, but the speed limit is the same as on the rest of I-4.
FDOT leaders are also working to add a wrong-way detection system.
1 of 19
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2022 Cox Media Group
