Toll rate increases now in effect | News

St. Petersburg, Florida -- If you drive a toll road around the Tampa Bay area or the state, get ready to pay more.

New toll increases went into effect June 24 at 6 a.m. This impacts anyone who drives the Suncoast and Polk Parkways, Veterans Expressway, Pinellas Bayway, and Sunshine Skyway.

For most of our local roads, you can expect to pay about a quarter more; however, if you go through several toll locations, that could add up to much more quickly.

For example, if you were to travel on the Suncoast Parkway from Pasco/Hernando County Line Road,  and continue on the Vet's to Hillsborough Avenue, it will cost you $4.75 instead of $3.75 if you're paying cash.

If you have a SunPass, you will save a little. It will cost $3.75 instead of $3.20.

Here are some other examples of one-way trip costs:

Sunshine Skyway Both North and South Plazas:  

Current: Cash- $1.00, Sunpass- .75

As of June 24: Cash- $1.25, Sunpass- $1.00

Polk Parkway I-4 to South Florida Avenue:

Current: Cash- .50, Sunpass- .50

As of June 24: Cash - .75, Sunpass- .50

Pinellas Bayway I-275 to Ft. DeSoto Park:

Current: Cash- .85, Sunpass- .85

As of June 24: Cash- $1.25, Sunpass- .75

Florida Department of Transportation calls the increase necessary. "Some of the roads have not had toll rates increases in a very long time. And actually a couple of the roadways over there, it's going to be advantageous if you have a SunPass because the Suncoast Parkway, the Pinellas Bayway, aren't going to see increases in the Sunpass lane, just in the cash lanes," Florida's Turnpike Enterprise Spokeswoman Christa Deason said.

FDOT says the money raised by the toll increase will be used to improve roads, including widening and expanding roadways.