Jim Ely's Steering Column - Roadway and Safety Upgrades 

We are committed to continually improving your traveling experience by upgrading roadways and implementing additional safety initiatives. In 2005, we began the canal protection safety program. This program places cable barriers or guardrails along Turnpike bodies of water to reduce the risk of a vehicle entering as the result of an accident. The canal protection barriers are currently installed along the Turnpike in Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Miami-Dade, Broward and Martin counties. Due to the success of the program in reducing the severity of roadway incidents, installation will continue this summer in St. Lucie and Indian River County. Following completion, barriers will also be installed in Osceola, Lake, Sumter, Okeechobee and Orange counties.

Recently we also unveiled a new CB Radio Advisory System initiative. Now, commercial vehicles will receive real-time emergency roadway incident information directly through their CB while traveling certain sections of the Turnpike. This is a short-range broadcast system activated by the Turnpike’s Traffic Management Center that allows vehicles with CB radios to listen to channel 19 and receive information on local incidents and emergency travel advisories on the roadway section being traveled.

The SunPass program continues to expand, where we have activated our five-millionth SunPass transponder. As such, more SunPass-only interchanges and open-road tolling facilities are underway to keep you moving safely and efficiently. Stay tuned for more exciting updates to come.

Until next time, that's life in the SunPass lane.

SunPass Now Available at AAA Auto Club South

The Florida Department of Transportation recently approved AAA Auto Club South as an authorized retailer of SunPass.

Always adding savings benefits to membership, AAA now offers the SunPass Mini ($4.99) and the SunPass Portable ($24.99) at its Florida retail outlets. There are more than 50 retail locations throughout the state, as well as 24-hour access to the www.AAA.com website. AAA members are already saving on everything else - why not on their tolls and time?

AAA also offers driver license service desks at select locations in Tampa, Fort Myers, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Jacksonville and Pembroke Pines. These services are offered through a partnership with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Now motorists can easily renew a driver license, obtain a duplicate driver license, change a name or address on a driver license, get an identification card, apply for voter registration and enter Emergency Contact Information at these locations. (Click here for full story)

Park at South Florida Airports with SunPass

SunPass continues to take you more places. The opportunity to use your transponder for parking payment at some of Florida's leading airports has now been expanded to include Palm Beach International Airport.

Using your SunPass transponder for airport parking allows you to go through airport parking gates without having to stop and pay. Just look for the SunPass Plus signage and travel with ease through the lanes.

This feature is also available at Orlando International Airport and Tampa International Airport. In the near future, Miami International Airport and other Florida airports are slated to come on-board to the SunPass Plus parking program. (Click here for full story)

Benefits of keeping your SunPass Account Up-to-date

Being a SunPass customer allows you the convenience of saving time and money when you travel on Florida's toll roads. Maintaining an up-to-date SunPass account can keep you traveling worry-free.

To keep your SunPass account information up-to-date, make sure your license plate(s), credit card information, home address and email address are all current. To help ensure your account has funds available, you can enroll in the Easy Pay program for automatic replenishment. Remember to also keep your email address up-to-date so you can receive applicable account notices right to your inbox such as SunPass Plus parking receipts, low balance notices and account confirmations, along with future editions of Sun Passages.

Simply log onto www.SunPass.com to manage your account. It's available 24/7. All you need is your SunPass account number and PIN, which you established when you opened your account. You may also contact the SunPass Customer Service Center toll free at 1-888-865-5352, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Click here for full story)

Friendly Reminder for SunPass Customers Who Use Rental Cars

If you have a SunPass Portable transponder you may use it in the vehicle of your choice, even a rental car. Just remember to update your SunPass account to add your rental vehicle subscription. The vehicle subscription includes the rental car information and duration you will have the rental. You can easily update your account with the subscription by logging in at www.SunPass.com, and inputting the rental information within three business days of the vehicle's initial toll use. Or if you prefer, you may call the SunPass Customer Service Center when you first pick up your rental vehicle at 1-888-TOLL-FLA.

It is beneficial to add the rental information to your account, as many rental car agencies also have toll programs that allow renters to travel in SunPass, EPASS and LeeWay 'ONLY' lanes for a fee. These fees are set forth by the rental car agencies who use a third party to collect the tolls used from their fleet vehicles by a license plate recognition system. (Click here for full story)

Roadway Improvements Near Completion in Broward County

Construction has been completed on Sunrise Blvd (Exit 58) and Commercial Blvd (Exit 62) as part of the Broward Widening Program. This project was designed to help alleviate congestion in this highly traveled area.

The last phase of the Turnpike's Broward Widening Program has begun where an additional northbound lane and sound walls will be built between Sunrise Blvd and Atlantic Blvd. (Click here for full story)

Get Prepared for Hurricane Season

June 1st marks the beginning of hurricane season. Now is the optimum time to know your options and plan ahead in the event a storm threatens your area.

• Stay aware of developing storms by checking your news and weather stations.
• Keep extra non-perishable food, water, medicines and necessary items on hand. These will be useful if you decide to stay in your house during a storm, or take with you if you evacuate.
• If you evacuate your area, make sure your vehicle is fully fueled and well serviced before you hit the road. Fuel availability may be limited, especially immediately before and after the storm hits. What fuel is available will generate extremely long lines at the Turnpike service plazas. (Click here for full story)