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Hernando Today

Make Way For The New Mini SunPass

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By MICHAEL D. BATES, Hernando Today

Published: February 20, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - Suncoast Parkway users can soon say goodbye to those clunky electronic boxes on their car's windshield.

Florida's Turnpike officials this summer will debut a cheaper, smaller electronic transponder. This one is about the size of a credit card, doesn't require batteries and should blend into most windshields when viewed from the outside.

The new SunPass will automatically deduct tolls as motorists use the pass-through lanes on any of Florida's turnpikes.

The smaller-sized unit is nontransferable from vehicle to vehicle, which could be a positive or negative. It serves as a deterrent to thieves because the unit will simply break if they try to steal it.

But multiple SunPass users in the family will have to buy more than one device if they want them for their entire fleet.

However, priced at $4.95 plus tax, the blow should not be as heavy. People who buy the new sticker tag and complete the registration process will receive a $4.95 rebate, making the transponder free. Current SunPass transponders sell for $25.

The old units will continue to work on all Florida turnpikes.

"Our customers are very, very excited," said Christa Deason, public information officer with Florida's Turnpike Enterprise. "This has been in development for quite awhile."

Deason said 4 million Floridians are currently SunPass customers. She expects to sell another 600,000 the first year after this mini-unit is introduced.

About 70 percent of people who use the Suncoast Parkway during rush hour and peak times have a SunPass, according to Joanne Hurley, community relations coordinator for Florida's Turnpike.

Meanwhile, work continues on the redesign of the toll plazas off State Road 50 and County Line Road.

Work began last month on converting the outside lanes at those interchanges to SunPass-only. Deason said the work should be completed by August.

In related news:

State turnpike officials have unveiled a new Web site providing updated and detailed information about the Suncoast Parkway 2 project.

Visitors to the site will find details about the design of the proposed route, which would extend the road about 27 miles through Hernando and Citrus Counties from U.S. 98 to U.S. 19.
Turnpike officials believe the expansion is necessary to accommodate the growing population in Citrus County.
Turnpike officials in 2007 contracted with several engineering consultants to prepare construction plans for the northward extension.

The Web site address is www.suncoast2online.com

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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