Parkway Users Prepare For Changes

Motorists who exited off the Suncoast Parkway ramp at State Road 50 Thursday morning may have done a double-take when they reached the toll plaza.

The lane they normally drove through to deposit their quarter or have their toll electronically deducted was closed. Vehicles were rerouted to the SunPass-only lane to continue on to S.R. 50.

But not too many people will likely mind the switch.

People, especially SunPass users, have waited months for state turnpike officials to start redoing the toll plazas along the Suncoast Parkway.

Wait no more.

Joanne Hurley, community relations coordinator for Florida's Turnpike, said Thursday that the conversion of the outside lanes at the S.R. 50 and County Line Road parkway interchanges to SunPass-only has begun.

When completed, those with the electronic transponders will have their own lane for easy on-and-off. Those who still prefer throwing quarters in the bucket can use the inner lane, which will accept exact change or SunPass.

"During the next several months we anticipate that work will continue at all ramp-plazas in Hernando County to install new cameras, gates, lights, signage and coin machines," Hurley said. "Crews will also need to remove and replace existing pavement."

Hurley urges motorists to be careful entering or exiting both parkway ramp plazas and follow the prescribed speed limits.

It could take three or four months to finish the conversion, she said.

For months, motorists who frequent the Suncoast Parkway interchange at S..R. 50 or County Line Road had to queue up in one line to pay the quarter toll. That frustrated electronic patrons who had to sometimes wait while their non-transponder counterparts had to fish for change to throw into the coin bucket.

It led to longer lines, especially at rush hour.

Hurley estimates about 70 percent of people who use the Suncoast Parkway during rush hour and peak times have a SunPass.