Who is the Expressway Authority?
The Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) was established in 1963 by an act of Florida Legislation. It is an entity of the State of Florida, responsible for building, operating, and maintaining toll-financed expressways in Hillsborough County. The THEA controls the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway, a main artery that runs from downtown Tampa to Brandon, Florida. It also provides automated toll collection services on the Expressway through SunPass®.

Is the Expressway Authority part of Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)?
Although the Expressway Authority partners with FDOT on many projects, the two organizations are separate. For more information on FDOT, please visit http://www.dot.state.fl.us.

What was the reason for the recent cash surcharge on the Selmon Crosstown Expressway?
The cash surcharge was implemented to encourage customers to purchase transponders. SunPass® customers using dedicated lanes can travel at higher rates of speed which in-turn helps relieve congestion at our toll plazas. In addition, electronic toll transponders are more efficient as dedicated SunPass® lanes process up to 1,800 vehicles per hour--300% more than a manual toll lane. The Expressway Authority plans to put the savings in operation costs back into new road projects.

Where can I get a SunPass® transponder?
SunPass ® transponders can be purchased online, by calling 1-888-TOLL-FLA (1-888-865-5352), or at CVS Pharmacies or Publix Supermarkets in Florida. For more information, please visit the SunPass® web site at http://www.sunpass.com/purchcost.cfm.

Why do you have gates on the SunPass® express lanes?
The purpose of the gates is Speed suppression. For the safety of other motorists and our toll plaza workers, we encourage all of our customers to travel at the posted speed limits.

How many dedicated SunPass® express lanes do you have on the Selmon Crosstown Expressway?

The East Toll Plaza at 78th Street has two dedicated lanes. The West Toll Plaza has one lane. The Authority will continue to watch the number of cash customers versus SunPass® customers. With increases in transponder usage, other lanes will be converted to SunPass® dedicated lanes.

When will the Reversible Lanes Bridge open?
The Reversible Lanes Bridge is scheduled to open in Summer 2006. For more information, please view the project video or the construction timeline on this web site.

How many miles is the Selmon Crosstown Expressway?
The Selmon Crosstown Expressway covers 14 miles. The Reversible Lanes Bridge, currently being erected in the median of the Selmon Crosstown Expressway, is 9 miles; 6 of the 9 miles are elevated.

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