LIMITED ACCESS AND TOLL FACILITIES

F.S. Ch. 338
in effect

F.S. 338.01 Authority to establish and regulate limited access facilities.

(1) The department may establish limited access facilities as provided in s. 335.02. The primary function of such limited access facilities shall be to allow high-speed and high-volume traffic movements within the state. Access to abutting land is subordinate to this function, and such access must be prohibited or highly regulated. (2) The transportation and expressway authorities of the state, counties, and municipalities, referred to in this chapter as “authorities,” acting alone or in cooperation with each other or with any federal, state, or local governmental entity or agency of any other state that is authorized to construct highways, are authorized to provide limited access facilities for public use. Any of the authorities may construct a limited access highway as a new facility or may designate an existing street or highway as included within a limited access facility. However, if the limited access facility is entirely located within an incorporated municipality, such authority is subject to municipal consent; except that such consent is not necessary when such limited access facility is part of the interstate system. (3) If the jurisdiction of the department or the commissioners over any public highway is jointly involved or would be affected by the exercise of such authority, their joint action or agreement is necessary to make the exercise of authority hereunder effective. (4) Such action shall be taken by appropriate resolution or ordinance of the authority or authorities. Notice of such action shall be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the locality affected at least 15 days before such authority becomes effective, and appropriate traffic signs and markers shall be erected along the facility affected to give due notice to public travel of the action to be taken. (5) The authorities may regulate the use of such limited access facilities. No public road shall be connected with any such limited access facility without the prior approval of the authority having jurisdiction over the limited access facility. Such approval shall be given only if the public interest will be served. (6) No automotive service station or other commercial establishment for serving motor vehicle users, except as authorized by a transportation or expressway authority, or by law for a turnpike project, shall be located within the right-of-way of, or on publicly owned or leased land acquired or used for, a controlled limited access facility. The provisions of this subsection shall not be deemed to exempt transportation and expressway authorities from local zoning and planning laws and ordinances. (7) All new limited access facilities and existing transportation facilities on which new or replacement electronic toll collection systems are installed shall be interoperable with the department’s electronic toll collection system. (8) The department, or other governmental entity responsible for the collection of tolls, may pursue the collection of unpaid tolls and associated fees and other amounts to which it is entitled by contracting with a private attorney who is a member in good standing with The Florida Bar or a collection agent who is registered and in good standing pursuant to chapter 559. A collection fee in an amount that is reasonable within the collection industry, including any reasonable attorney fees, may be added to the delinquent amount collected by any attorney or collection agent retained by the department or other governmental entity. The requirements of s. 287.059 do not apply to private attorney services procured under this section.

F.S. 338.04 Acquisition of property and property rights for limited access facility and service roads.

(1) Authorities may acquire private or public property and property rights for limited access facilities and service roads in the same manner as they are authorized to acquire property or property rights for highways, roads, and streets within their respective jurisdictions. (2) In acquiring property or property rights for any limited access facility or service road, the authorities may acquire an entire lot, block, or tract of land if the interests of the public will be best served by the authorities’ doing so, even though the entire lot, block, or tract is not immediately needed for the right-of-way proper.

F.S. 338.22 Florida Turnpike Enterprise Law; short title.

Sections 338.22-338.241 may be cited as the “Florida Turnpike Enterprise Law.”

F.S. 338.26 Alligator Alley toll road.

(1) The Legislature finds that the construction of Alligator Alley, designated as State Highway 84 and federal Interstate Highway 75, has provided a convenient and necessary connection of the east and west coasts of Florida for commerce and other purposes. However, this state highway has contributed to the alteration of water flows in the Everglades and affected ecological patterns of the historical southern Everglades. The Legislature has determined that it is appropriate and in the public interest to establish a system of tolls for use of Alligator Alley to produce needed financial resources to help restore the natural resource values lost by construction of this highway. (2) The Department of Transportation is directed to continue the system of tolls on this highway. Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 338.165(2) to the contrary, such toll collections shall be used for the purposes of this section. (3)(a) Fees generated from tolls shall be deposited in the State Transportation Trust Fund and shall be used: 1. To reimburse outstanding contractual obligations; 2. To operate and maintain the highway and toll facilities, including reconstruction and restoration; 3. To pay for those projects that are funded with Alligator Alley toll revenues and that are contained in the 1993-1994 adopted work program or the 1994-1995 tentative work program submitted to the Legislature on February 22, 1994; and 4. By interlocal agreement, to reimburse a local governmental entity for the direct actual costs of operating the fire station at mile marker 63 on Alligator Alley, which shall be used by the local governmental entity to provide fire, rescue, and emergency management services exclusively to the public on Alligator Alley. The local governmental entity must contribute 10 percent of the direct actual operating costs. a. The interlocal agreement effective July 1, 2019, through no later than June 30, 2027, shall control until such time that the local governmental entity and the department enter into a new agreement or agree to extend the existing agreement. For the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the amount of reimbursement may not exceed $2 million. b. By December 31, 2024, and every 5 years thereafter, the local governmental entity shall provide a maintenance and operations comprehensive plan to the department. The comprehensive plan must include a current inventory of assets, including their projected service life, and area service needs; the call and response history for emergency services provided in the preceding 5 years on Alligator Alley, including costs; and future projections for assets and equipment, including replacement or purchase needs, and operating costs. c. The local governmental entity and the department shall review and adopt the comprehensive plan as part of the interlocal agreement. d. In accordance with projected incoming toll revenues for Alligator Alley, the department shall include the corresponding funding needs of the comprehensive plan in the department’s work program, and the local governmental entity shall include the same in its capital comprehensive plan and the appropriate fiscal year budget. e. At the end of the term of the interlocal agreement, the ownership and title of all fire, rescue, and emergency equipment purchased with state funds and used at the fire station during the term of the interlocal agreement transfers to the state. (b) Funds generated annually in excess of those required to pay the expenses in paragraph (a) may be transferred to the Everglades Fund of the South Florida Water Management District. The South Florida Water Management District shall deposit funds for projects undertaken pursuant to s. 373.4592 in the Everglades Trust Fund pursuant to s. 373.45926(4)(a). Any funds remaining in the Everglades Fund may be used for environmental projects to restore the natural values of the Everglades, subject to compliance with any applicable federal laws and regulations. Projects must be limited to: 1. Highway redesign to allow for improved sheet flow of water across the southern Everglades. 2. Water conveyance projects to enable more water resources to reach Florida Bay to replenish marine estuary functions. 3. Engineering design plans for wastewater treatment facilities as recommended in the Water Quality Protection Program Document for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. 4. Acquisition of lands to move STA 3/4 out of the Toe of the Boot, provided such lands are located within 1 mile of the northern border of STA 3/4. 5. Other Everglades Construction Projects as described in the February 15, 1994, conceptual design document. (4) The district may issue revenue bonds or notes under s. 373.584 and pledge the revenue from the transfers from the Alligator Alley toll revenues as security for such bonds or notes. The proceeds from such revenue bonds or notes shall be used for environmental projects; at least 50 percent of said proceeds must be used for projects that benefit Florida Bay, as described in this section subject to resolutions approving such activity by the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund and the governing board of the South Florida Water Management District and the remaining proceeds must be used for restoration activities in the Everglades Protection Area.

F.S. 338.151 Authority of the department to establish tolls on the State Highway System.

Notwithstanding s. 338.165(8), the department may establish tolls on new limited access facilities on the State Highway System, lanes added to existing limited access facilities on the State Highway System, new major bridges on the State Highway System over waterways, and replacements for existing major bridges on the State Highway System over waterways to pay, fully or partially, for the cost of such projects. Except for high-occupancy vehicle lanes, express lanes, the turnpike system, and as otherwise authorized by law, the department may not establish tolls on lanes of limited access facilities that exist on July 1, 2012, unless tolls were in effect for the lanes prior to that date. The authority provided in this section is in addition to the authority provided under the Florida Turnpike Enterprise Law and s. 338.166.

F.S. 338.155 Payment of toll on toll facilities required; exemptions.

(1)(a) A person may not use a toll facility without payment of tolls, except: 1. An employee of the agency operating the toll project when using the toll facility on official state business. 2. State military personnel while on official military business. 3. A person with a disability as provided in subsection (3). 4. A person exempt from toll payment by the authorizing resolution for bonds issued to finance the facility. 5. A person exempt on a temporary basis where use of such toll facility is required as a detour route. 6. A law enforcement officer operating an official vehicle while on official law enforcement business. 7. A person operating a fire vehicle while on official business or a rescue vehicle while on official business. 8. A person participating in the funeral procession of a law enforcement officer or firefighter killed in the line of duty. (b) The secretary or the secretary’s designee may suspend the payment of tolls on a toll facility when necessary to assist in emergency evacuation. (c) The failure to pay a prescribed toll constitutes a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in s. 318.18. The department may adopt rules relating to the payment, collection, and enforcement of tolls, as authorized in this chapter and chapters 316, 318, 320, and 322, including, but not limited to, rules for the implementation of video or other image billing and variable pricing. (d) With respect to toll facilities managed by the department the revenues of which are not pledged to repayment of bonds, the department may by rule allow the use of such facilities by public transit vehicles or by vehicles participating in a funeral procession for an active-duty military servicemember without the payment of tolls. (2) Any person driving an automobile or other vehicle belonging to the Department of Military Affairs used for transporting military personnel, stores, and property, when properly identified, shall, together with any such conveyance and military personnel and property of the state in his or her charge, be allowed to pass free through all tollgates and over all toll bridges and ferries in this state. (3) A person with a disability who has a valid driver license, who operates a vehicle specially equipped for use by persons with disabilities, and who is certified by a physician licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459 or by comparable licensing in another state or by the Adjudication Office of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or its predecessor as being severely physically disabled and having permanent upper limb mobility or dexterity impairments that substantially impair the person’s ability to deposit coins in toll baskets shall be allowed to pass free through all tollgates and over all toll bridges and ferries in this state. Such person shall, upon application, be issued a vehicle window sticker by the Department of Transportation. (4) A copy of this section shall be posted at each toll bridge and on each ferry. (5) The Department of Transportation shall provide envelopes for voluntary payments of tolls by those persons exempted from the payment of tolls pursuant to this section. The department shall accept any voluntary payments made by exempt persons. (6) Personal identifying information held by the Department of Transportation, a county, a municipality, or an expressway authority for the purpose of paying, prepaying, or collecting tolls and associated administrative charges due for the use of toll facilities is exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. This exemption applies to such information held by the Department of Transportation, a county, a municipality, or an expressway authority before, on, or after the effective date of the exemption.

F.S. 338.161 Authority of department or toll agencies to advertise and promote electronic toll collection; expanded uses of electronic toll collection system; authority of department to collect tolls, fares, and fees for private and public entities.

(1) The department may incur expenses for paid advertising, marketing, and promotion of toll facilities and electronic toll collection products and services. Promotions may include discounts and free products. (2) The department may receive funds from advertising placed on electronic toll collection products and promotional materials to defray the costs of products and services. (3) The department or any toll agency created by statute may incur expenses to advertise or promote its electronic toll collection system to consumers on or off the turnpike or toll system. (4) If the department or toll agency created by statute finds that it can increase nontoll revenues or add convenience or other value for its customers, the department or toll agency may enter into agreements with a private or public entity allowing the use of its electronic toll collection system to pay parking fees for vehicles equipped with a transponder or similar device. The department or toll agency may initiate feasibility studies of other future uses of its electronic toll collection system and make recommendations to the Legislature to authorize such uses. (5) If the department finds that it can increase nontoll revenues or add convenience or other value for its customers, and if a public or private transportation facility owner agrees that its facility will become interoperable with the department’s electronic toll collection and video billing systems, the department may enter into an agreement with the owner of such facility under which the department uses its electronic toll collection and video billing systems to collect and enforce for the owner tolls, fares, administrative fees, and other applicable charges due in connection with use of the owner’s facility. The department may modify its rules regarding toll collection procedures and the imposition of charges to be applicable to toll facilities that are not part of the turnpike system or otherwise owned by the department. This subsection does not limit the authority of the department under any other law or under any agreement entered into before July 1, 2012.

F.S. 338.165 Continuation of tolls.

(1) The department, any transportation or expressway authority or, in the absence of an authority, a county or counties may continue to collect the toll on a revenue-producing project after the discharge of any bond indebtedness related to such project and may increase such toll. All tolls so collected shall first be used to pay the annual cost of the operation, maintenance, and improvement of the toll project. (2) If the revenue-producing project is on the State Highway System, any remaining toll revenue shall be used for the construction, maintenance, or improvement of any road on the State Highway System within the county or counties in which the revenue-producing project is located. (3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department, including the turnpike enterprise, shall index toll rates on existing toll facilities to the annual Consumer Price Index or similar inflation indicators. Toll rate adjustments for inflation under this subsection may be made no more frequently than once a year and must be made no less frequently than once every 5 years as necessary to accommodate cash toll rate schedules. Toll rates may be increased beyond these limits as directed by bond documents, covenants, or governing body authorization or pursuant to department administrative rule. (4) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, pursuant to s. 11, Art. VII of the State Constitution, and subject to the requirements of subsection (2), the Department of Transportation may request the Division of Bond Finance to issue bonds secured by toll revenues collected on the Alligator Alley and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to fund transportation projects located within the county or counties in which the project is located and contained in the adopted work program of the department. (5) If the revenue-producing project is on the county road system, any remaining toll revenue shall be used for the construction, maintenance, or improvement of any other state or county road within the county or counties in which the revenue-producing project is located. (6) Selection of projects on the State Highway System for construction, maintenance, or improvement with toll revenues shall be, with the concurrence of the department, consistent with the Florida Transportation Plan. (7) This section does not apply to high-occupancy toll lanes or express lanes. (8) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1), and not including high occupancy toll lanes or express lanes, no tolls may be charged for use of an interstate highway where tolls were not charged as of July 1, 1997. (9) With the exception of subsection (3), this section does not apply to the turnpike system as defined under the Florida Turnpike Enterprise Law. (10) The department’s Beachline-East Expressway may be transferred by the department and become part of the turnpike system under the Florida Turnpike Enterprise Law. Any funds expended by the Florida Turnpike Enterprise for the acquisition of the Beachline-East Expressway shall be deposited into the State Transportation Trust Fund, and, notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, such funds shall first be allocated by the department to fund the department’s obligation to construct the Wekiva Parkway. The term “Wekiva Parkway” means a limited access highway or expressway constructed between State Road 429 and Interstate 4 specifically incorporating the corridor alignment recommended by Recommendation 2 of the Wekiva River Basin Area Task Force final report dated January 15, 2003, and the recommendations of the SR 429 Working Group which were adopted January 16, 2004, and related transportation facilities. (11) The department’s Pinellas Bayway System may be transferred by the department and become part of the turnpike system under the Florida Turnpike Enterprise Law. The transfer does not affect the rights of the parties, or their successors in interest, under the settlement agreement and final judgment in Leonard Lee Ratner, Esther Ratner, and Leeco Gas and Oil Co. v. State Road Department of the State of Florida , No. 67-1081 (Fla. 2nd Cir. Ct. 1968). Upon transfer of the Pinellas Bayway System to the turnpike system, the department shall also transfer to the Florida Turnpike Enterprise the funds deposited in the reserve account established by chapter 85-364, Laws of Florida, as amended by chapters 95-382 and 2014-223, Laws of Florida, which funds shall be used by the Florida Turnpike Enterprise solely to help fund the costs of repair or replacement of the transferred facilities.

F.S. 338.166 High-occupancy toll lanes or express lanes.

(1) Under s. 11, Art. VII of the State Constitution, the department may request the Division of Bond Finance to issue bonds secured by toll revenues collected on high-occupancy toll lanes or express lanes established on facilities owned by the department. (2) The department may continue to collect the toll on the high-occupancy toll lanes or express lanes after the discharge of any bond indebtedness related to such project. All tolls so collected shall first be used to pay the annual cost of the operation, maintenance, and improvement of the high-occupancy toll lanes or express lanes project or associated transportation system. (3) Any remaining toll revenue from the high-occupancy toll lanes or express lanes shall be used by the department for the construction, maintenance, or improvement of any road or to support public transportation projects that benefit the operation of high-occupancy toll lanes or express lanes on the State Highway System within the county or counties in which the toll revenues were collected or to support express bus service on the facility where the toll revenues were collected. (4) The department may implement variable rate tolls on high-occupancy toll lanes or express lanes. The department may require the use of an electronic transponder interoperable with the department’s electronic toll collection system for the use of high-occupancy toll lanes or express lanes. (5) Effective July 1, 2018, if a customer’s average travel speed for a trip in an express lane falls below 40 miles per hour, the customer must be charged the minimum express lane toll. A customer’s express lane average travel speed is his or her average travel speed from the customer’s entry point to the customer’s exit point. (6) Except for high-occupancy toll lanes or express lanes, tolls may not be charged for use of an interstate highway where tolls were not charged as of July 1, 1997. (7) This section does not apply to the turnpike system as defined under the Florida Turnpike Enterprise Law.

F.S. 338.221 Definitions.

As used in ss. 338.22-338.241, the following words and terms have the following meanings, unless the context indicates another or different meaning or intent: (1) “Bonds” or “revenue bonds” means notes, bonds, refunding bonds or other evidences of indebtedness or obligations, in either temporary or definitive form, issued by the Division of Bond Finance on behalf of the department and authorized under the provisions of ss. 338.22-338.241 and the State Bond Act. (2) “Cost,” as applied to a turnpike project, includes the cost of acquisition of all land, rights-of-way, property, easements, and interests acquired by the department for turnpike project construction; the cost of such construction; the cost of all machinery and equipment, financing charges, fees, and expenses related to the financing; establishment of reserves to secure bonds; interest prior to and during construction and for such period after completion of construction as shall be determined by the department; the cost of traffic estimates and of engineering and legal expenses, plans, specifications, surveys, estimates of cost and revenues; other expenses necessary or incident to determining the feasibility or practicability of acquiring or constructing any such turnpike project; administrative expenses; and such other expenses as may be necessary or incident to the acquisition or construction of a turnpike project, the financing of such acquisition or construction, and the placing of the turnpike project in operation. (3) “Feeder road” means any road no more than 5 miles in length, connecting to the turnpike system which the department determines is necessary to create or facilitate access to a turnpike project. (4) “Owner” includes any person or any governmental entity that has title to, or an interest in, any property, right, easement, or interest authorized to be acquired pursuant to ss. 338.22-338.241. (5) “Revenues” means all tolls, charges, rentals, gifts, grants, moneys, and other funds coming into the possession, or under the control, of the department by virtue of the provisions hereof, except the proceeds from the sale of bonds issued under ss. 338.22-338.241. (6) “Turnpike system” means those limited access toll highways and associated feeder roads and other structures, appurtenances, or rights previously designated, acquired, or constructed pursuant to the Florida Turnpike Enterprise Law and such other additional turnpike projects as may be acquired or constructed as approved by the Legislature. (7) “Turnpike improvement” means any betterment necessary or desirable for the operation of the turnpike system, including, but not limited to, widenings, the addition of interchanges to the existing turnpike system, resurfacings, toll plazas, machinery, and equipment. (8) “Economically feasible” means: (a) For a proposed turnpike project, that, as determined by the department before the issuance of revenue bonds for the project, the estimated net revenues of the proposed turnpike project, excluding feeder roads and turnpike improvements, will be sufficient to pay at least 50 percent of the annual debt service on the bonds associated with the project by the end of the 12th year of operation and to pay at least 100 percent of the debt service on the bonds by the end of the 30th year of operation. In implementing this paragraph, up to 50 percent of the adopted work program costs of the project may be funded from turnpike revenues. (b) For turnpike projects, except for feeder roads and turnpike improvements, financed from revenues of the turnpike system, such project, or such group of projects, originally financed from revenues of the turnpike system, that the project is expected to generate sufficient revenues to amortize project costs within 15 years of opening to traffic. This subsection does not prohibit the pledging of revenues from the entire turnpike system to bonds issued to finance or refinance a turnpike project or group of turnpike projects. (9) “Turnpike project” means any extension to or expansion of the existing turnpike system and new limited access toll highways and associated feeder roads and other structures, interchanges, appurtenances, or rights as may be approved in accordance with the Florida Turnpike Enterprise Law. (10) “Statement of environmental feasibility” means a statement by the Department of Environmental Protection of the project’s significant environmental impacts.

F.S. 338.222 Department of Transportation sole governmental entity to acquire, construct, or operate turnpike projects; exception.

(1) No governmental entity other than the department may acquire, construct, maintain, or operate the turnpike system subsequent to the enactment of this law, except upon specific authorization of the Legislature. (2) The department may, but is not required to, contract with any local governmental entity as defined in s. 334.03(13) for the design, right-of-way acquisition, transfer, purchase, sale, acquisition, or other conveyance of the ownership, operation, maintenance, or construction of any turnpike project which the Legislature has approved. Local governmental entities may negotiate and contract with the department for the design, right-of-way acquisition, transfer, purchase, sale, acquisition, or other conveyance of the ownership, operation, maintenance, or construction of any section of the turnpike project within areas of their respective jurisdictions or within counties with which they have interlocal agreements.

F.S. 338.223 Proposed turnpike projects.

(1)(a) Any proposed project to be constructed or acquired as part of the turnpike system and any turnpike improvement shall be included in the tentative work program. A proposed project or group of proposed projects may not be added to the turnpike system unless such project or projects are determined to be economically feasible and a statement of environmental feasibility has been completed for such project or projects and such projects are determined to be consistent, to the maximum extent feasible, with approved local government comprehensive plans of the local governments in which such projects are located. The department may authorize engineering studies, traffic studies, environmental studies, and other expert studies of the location, costs, economic feasibility, and practicality of proposed turnpike projects throughout the state and may proceed with the design phase of such projects. If a proposed project or group of proposed projects is found to be economically feasible, consistent, to the maximum extent feasible, with approved local government comprehensive plans of the local governments in which such projects are located, and a favorable statement of environmental feasibility has been completed, the department, with the approval of the Legislature, shall, after the receipt of all necessary permits, construct, maintain, and operate such turnpike projects. (b) Any proposed turnpike project or improvement shall be developed in accordance with the Florida Transportation Plan and the work program pursuant to s. 339.135. Turnpike projects that add capacity, alter access, affect feeder roads, or affect the operation of the local transportation system shall be included in the transportation improvement plan of the affected metropolitan planning organization. If such turnpike project does not fall within the jurisdiction of a metropolitan planning organization, the department shall notify the affected county and provide for public hearings in accordance with s. 339.155(5)(c). (c) Prior to requesting legislative approval of a proposed turnpike project, the environmental feasibility of the proposed project shall be reviewed by the Department of Environmental Protection. The department shall submit its Project Development and Environmental Report to the Department of Environmental Protection, along with a draft copy of a public notice. Within 14 days of receipt of the draft public notice, the Department of Environmental Protection shall return the draft public notice to the Department of Transportation with an approval of the language or modifications to the language. Upon receipt of the approved or modified draft, or if no comments are provided within 14 days, the Department of Transportation shall publish the notice as provided in chapter 50 to provide a 30-day public comment period. If published in the print edition of a newspaper, the headline of the required notice shall be in a type no smaller than 18 point, shall be placed in that portion of the newspaper where legal notices appear, and shall be published in a newspaper qualified to publish legal notices in the county or counties of general interest and readership in the community as provided in s. 50.031. Whenever possible, the notice shall appear in a newspaper that is published at least weekly. All notices published pursuant to this section shall include, at a minimum, the following information: 1. The purpose of the notice is to provide for a 30-day period for written public comments on the environmental impacts of a proposed turnpike project. 2. The name and description of the project, along with a geographic location map clearly indicating the area where the proposed project will be located. 3. The address where such comments must be sent and the date such comments are due. After a review of the department’s report and any public comments, the Department of Environmental Protection shall submit a statement of environmental feasibility to the department within 30 days after the date on which public comments are due. The notice and the statement of environmental feasibility shall not give rise to any rights to a hearing or other rights or remedies provided pursuant to chapter 120 or chapter 403, and shall not bind the Department of Environmental Protection in any subsequent environmental permit review. (2)(a) Subject to the provisions of s. 338.228, the department is authorized to expend, out of any funds available for the purpose, such moneys as may be necessary for studies, preliminary engineering, construction, right-of-way acquisition, and construction engineering inspection of any turnpike project and is authorized to use its engineering and other resources for such purposes. (b) In accordance with the legislative intent expressed in s. 337.273, and after the requirements of paragraph (1)(c) have been met, the department may acquire lands and property before making a final determination of the economic feasibility of a project. The requirements of paragraph (1)(c) do not apply to hardship and protective purchases of advance right-of-way by the department. The cost of advance acquisition of right-of-way may be paid from bonds issued under s. 337.276 or from turnpike revenues. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “hardship purchase” means purchase from a property owner of a residential dwelling of not more than four units who is at a disadvantage due to health impairment, job loss, or significant loss of rental income. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “protective purchase” means that a purchase to limit development, building, or other intensification of land uses within the area right-of-way is needed for transportation facilities. The department shall give written notice to the Department of Environmental Protection 30 days before final agency acceptance as set forth in s. 119.0711, which notice shall allow the Department of Environmental Protection to comment. Hardship and protective purchases of right-of-way shall not influence the environmental feasibility of a project, including the decision relative to the need to construct the project or the selection of a specific location. Costs to acquire and dispose of property acquired as hardship and protective purchases are considered costs of doing business for the department and are not to be considered in the determination of environmental feasibility for the project. (3) All obligations and expenses incurred by the department under this section shall be paid by the department and charged to the appropriate turnpike project. The department shall keep proper records and accounts showing each amount that is so charged. All obligations and expenses so incurred shall be treated as part of the cost of such project and shall be reimbursed to the department out of turnpike revenues or out of the bonds authorized under ss. 338.22-338.241 except when such reimbursement is prohibited by state or federal law. (4) The department is authorized, with the approval of the Legislature, to use federal and state transportation funds to lend or pay a portion of the operating, maintenance, and capital costs of turnpike projects. For operating and maintenance loans, the maximum net loan amount in any fiscal year shall not exceed 1.5 percent of state transportation tax revenues for that fiscal year.

F.S. 338.225 Taking of public road for feeder road.

Before taking over any existing public road for maintenance and operation as a feeder road, the department shall obtain the consent of the governmental entity then exercising jurisdiction over the road, which governmental entity is authorized to give such consent by resolution. Each feeder road or portion of a feeder road acquired, constructed, or taken over under this section for maintenance and operation shall, for all purposes of ss. 338.22-338.241, be deemed to constitute a part of the turnpike system, except that no toll shall be charged for transit between points on such feeder road.

F.S. 338.227 Turnpike revenue bonds.

(1) The department is authorized to borrow money as provided by the State Bond Act for the purpose of paying all or any part of the cost of any one or more legislatively approved turnpike projects. The principal of, and the interest on, such bonds will be payable solely from revenues pledged for their payment. (2) The proceeds of the bonds of each issue shall be used solely for the payment of the cost of the turnpike projects for which such bonds shall have been issued, except as provided in the State Bond Act. Such proceeds shall be disbursed and used as provided by ss. 338.22-338.241 and in such manner and under such restrictions, if any, as the Division of Bond Finance may provide in the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or in the trust agreement hereinafter mentioned securing the same. All revenues and bond proceeds from the turnpike system received by the department pursuant to ss. 338.22-338.241, the Florida Turnpike Enterprise Law, shall be used only for the cost of turnpike projects and turnpike improvements and for the administration, operation, maintenance, and financing of the turnpike system. No revenues or bond proceeds from the turnpike system shall be spent for the operation, maintenance, construction, or financing of any project which is not part of the turnpike system. (3) The Division of Bond Finance is authorized to issue revenue bonds on behalf of the department to finance or refinance the cost of turnpike projects approved in s. 338.2275, by the Legislature in accordance with s. 11(f), Art. VII of the State Constitution. (4) The Department of Transportation and the Department of Management Services shall create and implement an outreach program designed to enhance the participation of small business enterprises in all contracts entered into by their respective departments for services related to the financing of department projects for the Strategic Intermodal System Plan developed pursuant to s. 339.64. These services include, but are not limited to, bond counsel and bond underwriters. (5) Notwithstanding s. 215.82, bonds issued pursuant to this section are not required to be validated pursuant to chapter 75 but may be validated at the option of the Division of Bond Finance. A complaint about such validation must be filed in the circuit court of the county in which the seat of state government is situated. The notice required to be published by s. 75.06 must be published only in the county in which the complaint is filed. The complaint and order of the circuit court must be served only on the state attorney of the circuit in which the action is pending.

F.S. 338.228 Bonds not debts or pledges of credit of state.

Turnpike revenue bonds issued under the provisions of ss. 338.22-338.241 are not debts of the state or pledges of the faith and credit of the state. Such bonds are payable exclusively from revenues pledged for their payment. All such bonds shall contain a statement on their face that the state is not obligated to pay the same or the interest thereon, except from the revenues pledged for their payment, and that the faith and credit of the state is not pledged to the payment of the principal or interest of such bonds. The issuance of turnpike revenue bonds under the provisions of ss. 338.22-338.241 does not directly, indirectly, or contingently obligate the state to levy or to pledge any form of taxation whatsoever, or to make any appropriation for their payment. Except as provided in ss. 338.223, 338.2275, and 339.65, state funds may not be used on any turnpike project or to pay the principal or interest of any bonds issued to finance or refinance any portion of the turnpike system, and all such bonds shall contain a statement on their face to this effect.

F.S. 338.229 Pledge to bondholders not to restrict certain rights of department.

The state does pledge to, and agree with, the holders of the bonds issued pursuant to ss. 338.22-338.241 that the state will not limit or restrict the rights vested in the department to construct, reconstruct, maintain, and operate any turnpike project as defined in ss. 338.22-338.241 or to establish and collect such tolls or other charges as may be convenient or necessary to produce sufficient revenues to meet the expenses of maintenance and operation of the turnpike system and to fulfill the terms of any agreements made with the holders of bonds authorized by this act and that the state will not in any way impair the rights or remedies of the holders of such bonds until the bonds, together with interest on the bonds, are fully paid and discharged. In implementing this section, the department is specifically authorized to provide for further restrictions on the sale, transfer, lease, or other disposition or operation of any portion of the turnpike system which reduces the revenue available for payment to bondholders.

F.S. 338.231 Turnpike tolls, fixing; pledge of tolls and other revenues.

The department shall at all times fix, adjust, charge, and collect such tolls and amounts for the use of the turnpike system as are required in order to provide a fund sufficient with other revenues of the turnpike system to pay the cost of maintaining, improving, repairing, and operating such turnpike system; to pay the principal of and interest on all bonds issued to finance or refinance any portion of the turnpike system as the same become due and payable; and to create reserves for all such purposes. (1) Notwithstanding any other law, the department may defer the scheduled July 1, 1993, toll rate increase on the Homestead Extension of the Florida Turnpike until July 1, 1995. The department may also advance funds to the Turnpike General Reserve Trust Fund to replace estimated lost revenues resulting from this deferral. The amount advanced must be repaid within 12 years from the date of advance; however, the repayment is subordinate to all other debt financing of the turnpike system outstanding at the time repayment is due. (2) The department shall publish a proposed change in the toll rate for the use of an existing toll facility, in the manner provided for in s. 120.54, which will provide for public notice and the opportunity for a public hearing before the adoption of the proposed rate change. When the department is evaluating a proposed turnpike toll project under s. 338.223 and has determined that there is a high probability that the project will pass the test of economic feasibility predicated on proposed toll rates, the toll rate that is proposed to be charged after the project is constructed must be adopted during the planning and project development phase of the project, in the manner provided for in s. 120.54, including public notice and the opportunity for a public hearing. For such a new project, the toll rate becomes effective upon the opening of the project to traffic. (3)(a) For the period July 1, 1998, through June 30, 2027, the department shall, to the maximum extent feasible, program sufficient funds in the tentative work program such that the percentage of turnpike toll and bond financed commitments in Miami-Dade County, Broward County, and Palm Beach County as compared to total turnpike toll and bond financed commitments shall be at least 90 percent of the share of net toll collections attributable to users of the turnpike system in Miami-Dade County, Broward County, and Palm Beach County as compared to total net toll collections attributable to users of the turnpike system. This subsection does not apply when the application of such requirements would violate any covenant established in a resolution or trust indenture relating to the issuance of turnpike bonds. The department may at any time for economic considerations establish lower temporary toll rates for a new or existing toll facility for a period not to exceed 1 year, after which the toll rates adopted pursuant to s. 120.54 shall become effective. (b) The department shall also fix, adjust, charge, and collect such amounts needed to cover the costs of administering the different toll collection and payment methods, and types of accounts being offered and used, in the manner provided for in s. 120.54 which will provide for public notice and the opportunity for a public hearing before adoption. Such amounts may stand alone, be incorporated in a toll rate structure, or be a combination of the two. (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any prepaid toll account of any kind which has remained inactive for 10 years is presumed unclaimed and its disposition shall be handled by the Department of Financial Services in accordance with all applicable provisions of chapter 717 relating to the disposition of unclaimed property, and the prepaid toll account shall be closed by the department. (4) When bonds are outstanding which have been issued to finance or refinance any turnpike project, the tolls and all other revenues derived from the turnpike system and pledged to such bonds shall be set aside as may be provided in the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or the trust agreement securing the same. The tolls or other revenues or other moneys so pledged and thereafter received by the department are immediately subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act. The lien of any such pledge is valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort or contract or otherwise against the department irrespective of whether such parties have notice thereof. Neither the resolution nor any trust agreement by which a pledge is created need be filed or recorded except in the records of the department. (5) The use and disposition of revenues pledged to bonds are subject to ss. 338.22-338.241 and such regulations as the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or such trust agreement may provide.

F.S. 338.232 Continuation of tolls upon provision for payment of bondholders and assumption of maintenance by department.

When all revenue bonds issued under the provisions of ss. 338.22-338.241 in connection with the turnpike system and the interest on the bonds have been paid, or an amount sufficient to provide for the payment of all such bonds and the interest on the bonds to the maturity of the bonds, or such earlier date on which the bonds may be called, has been set aside in trust for the benefit of the bondholders, the department may assume the maintenance of the turnpike system as part of the State Highway System, except that the turnpike system shall remain subject to sufficient tolls to pay the cost of the maintenance, repair, improvement, and operation of the system and the construction of turnpike projects.

F.S. 338.234 Granting concessions or selling along the turnpike system; immunity from taxation.

The department may enter into contracts or licenses with any person for the sale of services or products or business opportunities on the turnpike system, or the turnpike enterprise may sell services, products, or business opportunities on the turnpike system, which benefit the traveling public or provide additional revenue to the turnpike system. Services, business opportunities, and products authorized to be sold include, but are not limited to, motor fuel, vehicle towing, and vehicle maintenance services; food with attendant nonalcoholic beverages; lodging, meeting rooms, and other business services opportunities; advertising and other promotional opportunities, which advertising and promotions must be consistent with the dignity and integrity of the state; state lottery tickets sold by authorized retailers; games and amusements that operate by the application of skill, not including games of chance as defined in s. 849.16 or other illegal gambling games; Florida citrus, goods promoting the state, or handmade goods produced within the state; and travel information, tickets, reservations, or other related services. However, the department, pursuant to the grants of authority to the turnpike enterprise under this section, shall not exercise the power of eminent domain solely for the purpose of acquiring real property in order to provide business services or opportunities, such as lodging and meeting-room space on the turnpike system.

F.S. 338.235 Contracts with department for provision of services on the turnpike system.

(1) The department is empowered to contract with any person for the purpose of providing a service on the turnpike system, including those services authorized in s. 338.234, which the department determines is necessary or desirable, and to review and adjust as appropriate the terms, conditions, rates, and charges for use. (2) In order to secure high-quality products, business opportunities, and services on the turnpike system, products, business opportunities, and services authorized by s. 338.234 may be secured by competitive solicitation. If the department receives an unsolicited proposal for products, business opportunities, or services that it wishes to consider, it shall publish a notice in a newspaper of general circulation at least once a week for 2 weeks, or may broadcast such notice by electronic media for 2 weeks, stating that it has received a proposal and will accept other proposals on the same subject for 30 days after the date of publication. The department may select offers that best satisfy the conditions of a quality service, business opportunity, or product for the turnpike system. The factors to be used in evaluating proposals include, but are not limited to: (a) The financial capacity of the provider; (b) The willingness to contribute toward the cost of facility construction; (c) The type and quality of the service or product offered; (d) The price structure of the service or product offered; (e) Management experience and capabilities; (f) The national brand names offered; (g) The originality of the concept and its relationship to the turnpike system; (h) The lease rate; and (i) Other factors that the department may deem pertinent. (3) The department may enter into contracts or agreements, with or without competitive bidding or procurement, to make available, on a fair, reasonable, nonexclusive, and nondiscriminatory basis, turnpike property and other turnpike structures, for the placement of wireless facilities by any wireless provider of mobile services as defined in 47 U.S.C. s. 153(27) or s. 332(d), and any telecommunications company as defined in s. 364.02 when it is determined to be practical and feasible to make such property or structures available. The department may, without adopting a rule, charge a just, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory fee for placement of the facilities, payable annually, based on the fair market value of space used by comparable communications facilities in the state. The department and a wireless provider may negotiate the reduction or elimination of a fee in consideration of goods or services provided to the department by the wireless provider. All such fees collected by the department shall be deposited directly into the State Agency Law Enforcement Radio System Trust Fund and may be used to construct, maintain, or support the system. (4) The department shall receive credits for any amounts expended or proposed to be expended from the State Transportation Trust Fund for the department’s participation in and use of the State Agency Law Enforcement Radio System. Revenue from the fees collected under subsection (3) in amounts equal to such credits shall be deposited in the State Transportation Trust Fund for use by the department under s. 339.08.

F.S. 338.236 Staging areas for emergencies.

The Department of Transportation may plan, design, and construct staging areas to be activated during a declared state of emergency at key geographic locations on the turnpike system. Such staging areas must be used for the staging of emergency supplies, such as water, fuel, generators, vehicles, equipment, and other related materials, to facilitate the prompt provision of emergency assistance to the public, and to otherwise facilitate emergency response and assistance, including evacuations, deployment of emergency-related supplies and personnel, and restoration of essential services. (1) In selecting a proposed site for a designated staging area under this section, the department, in consultation with the Division of Emergency Management, must consider the extent to which such site: (a) Is located in a geographic area that best facilitates the wide dissemination of emergency-related supplies and equipment; (b) Provides ease of access to major highways and other transportation facilities; (c) Is sufficiently large to accommodate the staging of a significant amount of emergency-related supplies and equipment; (d) Provides space in support of emergency preparedness and evacuation activities, such as fuel reserve capacity; (e) Could be used during nonemergency periods for commercial motor vehicle parking and for other uses; and (f) Is consistent with other state and local emergency management considerations. (2) The department may acquire property and property rights necessary for such staging areas as provided in s. 338.04. (3) The department may authorize other uses of a staging area as provided in the Florida Transportation Code, including, but not limited to, for commercial motor vehicle parking to comply with federal hours-of-service off-duty requirements or sleeper berth requirements and for other vehicular parking to provide rest for drivers. (4) Staging area projects must be included in the work program developed by the department pursuant to s. 339.135.

F.S. 338.237 Municipal signs on the turnpike system rights-of-way; limitations.

Any incorporated municipality may maintain signboards along and upon the right-of-way of the turnpike system constructed hereunder, provided such signs meet the specifications as to location, frequency, construction, and design which are prescribed by the department. Any such signboard shall not advertise any private industry, business, or attraction, but shall advertise only the community or area placing such board upon the turnpike project.

F.S. 338.239 Traffic control on the turnpike system.

(1) The department is authorized to adopt rules with respect to the use of the turnpike system, which rules must relate to vehicular speeds, loads and dimensions, safety devices, rules of the road, and other matters necessary to carry out the purposes of ss. 338.22-338.241. Insofar as these rules may be inconsistent with the provisions of chapter 316, the rules control. A violation of these rules must be punished pursuant to chapters 316 and 318. (2) Members of the Florida Highway Patrol are vested with the power, and charged with the duty, to enforce the rules of the department. Approved expenditures incurred by the Florida Highway Patrol in carrying out its powers and duties under ss. 338.22-338.241 may be treated as a part of the cost of the operation of the turnpike system, and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles shall be reimbursed by the turnpike enterprise for such expenses incurred on the turnpike system. Florida Highway Patrol Troop K shall be headquartered with the turnpike enterprise and shall be the official and preferred law enforcement troop for the turnpike system. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles may, upon request of the executive director of the turnpike enterprise and approval of the Legislature, increase the number of authorized positions for Troop K, or the executive director of the turnpike enterprise may contract with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles for additional troops to patrol the turnpike system.

F.S. 338.241 Cash reserve requirement.

The budget for the turnpike system shall be so planned as to provide for a cash reserve at the end of each fiscal year of not less than 5 percent of the unpaid balance of all turnpike system contractual obligations, excluding bond obligations, to be paid from revenues.

F.S. 338.2215 Florida Turnpike Enterprise; legislative findings, policy, purpose, and intent.

It is the intent of the Legislature that the turnpike enterprise be provided additional powers and authority in order to maximize the advantages obtainable through fully leveraging the Florida Turnpike System asset. The additional powers and authority will provide the turnpike enterprise with the autonomy and flexibility to enable it to more easily pursue innovations as well as best practices found in the private sector in management, finance, organization, and operations. The additional powers and authority are intended to improve cost-effectiveness and timeliness of project delivery, increase revenues, expand the turnpike system’s capital program capability, and improve the quality of service to its patrons, while continuing to protect the turnpike system’s bondholders and further preserve, expand, and improve the Florida Turnpike System.

F.S. 338.2216 Florida Turnpike Enterprise; powers and authority.

(1)(a) In addition to the powers granted to the department, the Florida Turnpike Enterprise has full authority to exercise all powers granted to it under this chapter. Powers shall include, but are not limited to, the ability to plan, construct, maintain, repair, and operate the Florida Turnpike System. (b) It is the express intention of the Florida Turnpike Law that the Florida Turnpike Enterprise be authorized to plan, develop, own, purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire, demolish, construct, improve, relocate, equip, repair, maintain, operate, and manage the Florida Turnpike System; to expend funds to publicize, advertise, and promote the advantages of using the turnpike system and its facilities; and to cooperate, coordinate, partner, and contract with other entities, public and private, to accomplish these purposes. (c) The executive director of the turnpike enterprise shall appoint a staff, which shall be exempt from part II of chapter 110. Among the staff shall be a chief financial officer, who must be a proven, effective administrator with demonstrated experience in financial management of a large bonded capital program and must hold an active license to practice public accounting in Florida pursuant to chapter 473. The turnpike enterprise staff shall also include the Office of Toll Operations. (d) The Florida Turnpike Enterprise shall pursue and implement new technologies and processes in its operations and collection of tolls and the collection of other amounts associated with road and infrastructure usage. Such technologies and processes must include, without limitation, video billing and variable pricing. The Florida Turnpike Enterprise may require the use of an electronic transponder interoperable with the department’s electronic toll collection system for the use of express lanes on the turnpike system. Variable pricing may not be implemented in express lanes when the level of service in the express lane, determined in accordance with the criteria established by the Transportation Research Board Highway Capacity Manual (5th Edition, HCM 2010), as amended from time to time, is equal to level of service A. Variable pricing in express lanes when the level of service in the express lane is level of service B may only be implemented by charging the general toll lane toll amount plus an amount set by department rule. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, pricing in express lanes when the level of service is other than level of service A or level of service B may vary in the manner established by the Florida Turnpike Enterprise to manage congestion in the express lanes. (e) Effective July 1, 2018, if a customer’s average travel speed for a trip in an express lane falls below 40 miles per hour, the customer must be charged the general toll lane toll amount plus an amount set by department rule. A customer’s express lane average travel speed is his or her average travel speed from the customer’s entry point to the customer’s exit point. (f) The Florida Turnpike Enterprise may enter into one or more agreements to fund, construct, and operate facilities for the advancement of autonomous and connected innovative transportation technologies for the purposes of improving safety and decreasing congestion for the traveling public. Such agreements may include terms that authorize a private entity to sell or provide products or business opportunities at the facilities which benefit the traveling public, provide additional revenue, or otherwise advance the enterprise’s objectives as set forth in the Florida Transportation Code. (2) The department shall have the authority to employ procurement methods available to the Department of Management Services under chapters 255 and 287 and under any rule adopted under such chapters solely for the benefit of the turnpike enterprise. (3)(a) The turnpike enterprise shall be a single budget entity and shall develop a budget pursuant to chapter 216. The turnpike enterprise’s budget shall be submitted to the Legislature along with the department’s budget. (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 216.301 to the contrary and in accordance with s. 216.351, the Executive Office of the Governor shall, on July 1 of each year, certify forward all unexpended funds appropriated or provided pursuant to this section for the turnpike enterprise. Of the unexpended funds certified forward, any unencumbered amounts shall be carried forward. Such funds carried forward shall not exceed 5 percent of the original approved operating budget as defined in s. 216.181(1) of the turnpike enterprise. Funds carried forward pursuant to this section may be used for any lawful purpose, including, but not limited to, promotional and market activities, technology, and training. Any certified forward funds remaining undisbursed on September 30 of each year shall be carried forward. (4) The powers conferred upon the turnpike enterprise under ss. 338.22-338.241 shall be in addition and supplemental to the existing powers of the department and the turnpike enterprise, and these powers shall not be construed as repealing any provision of any other law, general or local, but shall supersede such other laws that are inconsistent with the exercise of the powers provided under ss. 338.22-338.241 and provide a complete method for the exercise of such powers granted.

F.S. 338.2275 Approved turnpike projects.

(1) Legislative approval of the department’s tentative work program that contains the turnpike project constitutes approval to issue bonds as required by s. 11(f), Art. VII of the State Constitution. No more than $10 billion of bonds may be outstanding to fund approved turnpike projects. (2) The department may use turnpike revenues, the State Transportation Trust Fund moneys allocated for turnpike projects pursuant to s. 339.65, federal funds, and bond proceeds, and shall use the most cost-efficient combination of such funds, in developing a financial plan for funding turnpike projects. The department must submit a report of the estimated cost for each ongoing turnpike project and for each planned project to the Legislature 14 days before the convening of the regular legislative session. Verification of economic feasibility and statements of environmental feasibility for individual turnpike projects must be based on the entire project as approved. Statements of environmental feasibility are not required for those projects listed in s. 12, chapter 90-136, Laws of Florida, for which the Project Development and Environmental Reports were completed by July 1, 1990. All required environmental permits must be obtained before the department may advertise for bids for contracts for the construction of any turnpike project. (3) Bonds may not be issued to fund a turnpike project until the department has made a final determination that the project is economically feasible in accordance with s. 338.221, based on the most current information available.

F.S. 338.2276 Western Beltway turnpike project; financing.

Upon a determination of economic feasibility, as defined in s. 338.221(8), for part C of the Western Beltway turnpike project, which part extends from Florida’s Turnpike near Ocoee in Orange County southerly through Orange County and Osceola County to an interchange with I-4 near the Osceola/Polk County line, the Department of Transportation shall include a request for the issuance of turnpike revenue bonds to construct the project as part of its next legislative budget request and tentative work program. If funding is insufficient to construct part C, it is the intent of the Legislature that such project be given priority as a project financed from subsequent issuances of turnpike revenue bonds approved by the Legislature; however, such priority consideration is contingent on the project’s meeting all economic feasibility requirements and upon the project’s being financed without the use of capitalized interest.

F.S. 338.2511 Deposit and use of funds in Toll Facilities Revolving Trust Fund.

The funds in the Toll Facilities Revolving Trust Fund and all future payments of obligated funds shall be deposited into the State Transportation Trust Fund to be expended for the purposes specified in s. 339.08.
Source: FL Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/Chapter338/AllFetched: 7/8/2026