It is planned that the 826 or Palmetto will also have express lanes, like the ones that were built on I-95. There will also be express lanes on the turnpike as well. This was the news on an article from the Miami Herald. Of course we have been hearing for years how the DOT has been trying to cut down on the congestion that we have here in Miami. Nothing has worked. They have done everything possible so they say. And now they need to do more!
So the good news is that the people who have plenty of money will be able to use these lanes and not worry what it will cost! You see the lanes charge depending on how much traffic is on the other lanes. So if there is no traffic or its lite traffic on the other lanes the tolls are low. But when there is congestion or the other lanes are heavily traveled then the toll is high. I have seen the tolls on I-95 at times reach $3 and above. And you only really travel maybe 4 or 5 miles!
Now for those of us who will not use the express lanes, we will still have congestion. Why? Because we will always out grow whatever they plan to do. Our traffic problems are because we all want to drive and not use buses, trains, or even carpool. So by the time they get these lanes done, which they estimate will be about 4 years, there will be more traffic than what they planned for! They of course will make the money on the tolls.
When they can not make the money they planned they would make, they will then add tolls to certain areas to get what they can get! Of course some will say well we do not need a state tax! True we do not! But we can not fool ourselves in thinking that these express lanes will make our commutes better! They do not! If you want proof get on I-95 in rush hour and compare it to the days when there were no express lanes!
If you drive the express lanes or not…. be safe and good luck!
N4KMA