OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — State lawmakers approved a plan Friday for Osceola County to form its own toll authority. The only road the authority will run, for now, is the Osceola Parkway, but WFTV learned the county has plans to build $1 billion worth of new toll roads.
Osceola County is one step closer to starting up its very own toll authority. The bill passed the House and Senate and is awaiting the Governor's signature. Five Osceola County residents would be in charge of the authority, deciding where new toll roads would be paved and the rates.
Right now, the Osceola Parkway is the only toll road in the county. It generates close to $11 million a year.
County leaders want to extend the Osceola Parkway east to the Florida Turnpike. Developers also want to build a new Poinciana Parkway on Marigold Avenue to I-4 and build Southport Connector, which would run from Poinciana to SR-417.
But the roadwork carries close to a $1 billion price tag. State representative Mike Horner said the transportation authority would fund the construction.
"Transportation work is expensive by definition and toll roads are a very pure user fee. If you drive on the tool roads, you will pay," Homer said. "It's a huge quality of life boost to have this kind of infrastructure in place."
Danny Sexton uses Osceola Parkway daily, spending about $3 a drive delivering his floral arrangements.
"All of the sudden you've spent several $100 at the end of the month. That's a huge expense," Kissimmee florist Danny Sexton said.
But he says the extra roads are needed. It would reduce his travel time.
"It's a double-edged sword. You want more roads, but is the toll roads the best way to pay for them? I don't know," he said.
Commissioners say they don't know the start-up costs. The county could get help from the federal government to set up the new agency. Governor Crist is expected to sign or veto the bill next month.
WFTV
