LONGWOOD, Fla. — Officials say drivers will likely have to pay more to use the I-4 Express lanes in 2023.

What You Need To Know

  • FDOT plans to raise the I-4 Express toll prices by the summer

  • Officials say the toll prices will increase during the busiest times of the day

  • FDOT information shows that 28,000 drivers use I-4 Express every day

  • Agency officials said they hopes to better manage congestion on the express lanes with the toll increase

Officials with the Florida Department of Transportation say plans are in place to increase toll prices later this year during the busiest travel periods of the day.

“Because of increase in traffic, that in 2023, by the time we get into summer, we will be raising that toll,” FDOT District 5 Secretary John Tyler told members of MetroPlan Orlando in December.

Since the I-4 Express lanes opened in February 2022, Jake Foutz said he has frequently used them.

“I just fly through what would be very troublesome traffic congestion,” said Foutz.

He said he doesn’t mind paying the extra money to avoid congestion on I-4.

“I do actually use them a lot just to get down to clients in rush-hour traffic,” Foutz said.

Since I-4 Express lanes first went into operation, drivers have been charged 50 cents per segment — or $3 to use the six segments that make up I-4 West, and $3.50 to use the seven segments of I-4 East.

Agency officials haven't said yet how much the toll rates will go up during busier times of day.

FDOT data shows that 28,000 drivers use I-4 Express every day, with 50 new motorists taking the toll lanes every week.

“The reason for (the toll increase) is we want to manage that congestion that’s in the express lanes," Tyler said. "We want to provide a consistent reliable product for the folks that choose I-4 Express."

Foutz said he understands why FDOT plans to increase the rate, but he’s not happy about it.

“I would hate the increase, but the toll roads are so beneficial to my business and getting to my clients on time,” he said.

The peak travel periods for I-4 Express are between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., FDOT officials said.

Officials said FDOT had planned to change the toll prices based on the volume of traffic using the toll lanes, and while that may still happen, first the agency plans to base the toll price on time of day.

“It won’t be that dynamic that you see in South Florida,” Tyler said. “We don’t think it will be time for that just yet. That will probably be later in 2023, if not in 2024.”