M E M O R A N D U M
To: Honorable Members of the Town Council
From: Mayor Edward MacDougall
Date: May 21, 2014
Re: Opposing FDOT Palmetto Express Project “Dynamic Tolling”
REQUESTTitle
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF CUTLER BAY, FLORIDA, EXPRESSING STRONG OPPOSITION TO THE IMMINENT ROLLOUT OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION’S (FDOT) PALMETTO EXPRESSWAY PROJECT, WHICH WILL CREATE TOLLED EXPRESS LANES ON STATE ROAD 826/PALMETTO EXPRESSWAY AND I-75, WHEREIN TOLL RATES INCREASE AS CONGESTION INCREASES, AS THIS SYSTEM OF “DYNAMIC TOLLING” WILL PLACE AN ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL STRAIN ON COMMUTERS IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, PARTICULARLY DURING PEAK TRAVEL HOURS; PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The attached Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) brochure provides a detailed explanation of the planned I75/Palmetto Express Project. The plan includes one or two tolled express lanes in each direction along the Palmetto Expressway and one tolled express lane in each direction along I75. The system of “dynamic tolling” used by FDOT will allow for toll rate increases as the commuter congestion increases, burdening commuters with an additional financial strain particularly during peak travel hours.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Town Council join me and other Miami-Dade municipalities in expressing strong opposition to the use of “dynamic toll” lanes as part of the FDOT improvements to the Palmetto Expressway and I75.