Gov. DeSantis announces new, lower toll rates for Garcon Point Bridge in Florida Panhandle

Okay, well, as many of you probably can figure out, we’re here in santa rosa County, uh, to talk about steps forward with the Garson point bridge. So I want to thank F dot Secretary kevin Tebow, Senator Broxton Representatives, Williamson, Andrade and Saltzman When hurricane sally hit 10 months ago, people started using this bridge more than they ever have because of the damage that was done to the Pensacola Bay Bridge. That was an unfortunate situation. Obviously there was a company that was, was culpable for that. Uh, F dot under kevin Tebow, I said we got to get this thing back as soon as possible. They did work really hard and they did a good job, but that did not happen overnight. So you had so many people that had to be diverted two garson point and also just people that were using it anyways, you know, they’re paying a toll of $5 every time they go across the road. Um, and so we were able to work with Senator Bronson, we were able to waive tolls were able to do some stuff to provide relief, but now that the Pensacola Bay Bridge is reopened, We need to provide toll relief permanently for folks using Garson Point Bridge. So $5 is just too much for every time. The over 6000 drivers that use this point that used this bridge every day have to pay you to think about it. Someone makes $10 an hour, that’s one hour of their day just to pay to go do the transportation. So today, I’m pleased to announce, I’m directing F dot secretary to bow to immediately reduce the toll rates on the Garson point bridge from $4.50 to $2.30 for sun past customers And from $5 to 2 75 uh, for cash customers. Uh, though these reduced toll rates are consistent with other F dot toll facilities around the state. And the new rate erases 20 years of toll rate increases to this bridge and to make sure these tolls can remain at this lower rate. I’m also asking f dot to reach a settlement with the trustee and the bondholders to purchase the bridge and transfer control to florida’s Turnpike enterprises. And finally, I’ll be asking the florida legislature to codify these actions into law. So we believe it’s good to provide this relief to the folks here in northwest florida. We understand the difficulty that many had commuting. We’re happy that the Pensacola Bay Bridge is back, But we also know that $5 is a lot. And so we’re doing this and hopefully be able to get this whole bridge situation finally stabilized. I know they’ve had a lot of trouble and I know Doug has talked to me about it a number of times. So, so we’re here to get it done. And I think this is, these are great first step. So Doug. Oh. Mhm. Governor, you’ve never seen me cry in public. But uh, this is so big. This bridge is 30 years old, 1992. There was a plan to put the bridge together on an ill conceived traffic study that generated hardship for investors and certainly for the citizens of this county. This is such a powerful message of economic development. You’re going to allow the, to the county to connect to the north end and the south end. And I’m gonna tell you, sir, you get it. And uh, thank you for doing this. I know it’s an effort. I know we’ve got some work to do with the Legislature, but uh, this is one of the most important things that we’ve ever done to help the people, support their families, get back and forth to work. And it’s because of you, not only doing a storm, but now after the storm to see the crisis that this bridge is called. So thank you, sir for being here and God bless you. Okay there. Thank you. I tell people all the time. And it’s so good and refreshing to have a governor that can find northwest florida on a map. Not only can you find it on a map, but also through his policy decisions and his budget proposals. He shows that the panhandle in northwest Florida is a priority and has a commitment to this area has not always been that way. The governor, I want to tell you. Thank you. Um, since I was elected in 2016, not a week goes by. Sometimes not a day goes by that. I’m either talking about this bridge or I’m hearing about this bridge and these excessive tolls. It comes from a single parents comes from individuals that use it every day. It comes from business owners. By lowering these tolls were going to be able to put a paycheck or two paychecks back in people’s pockets every year. So on behalf of my constituents, governor, I want to say thank you so much and I want you to know and I want everybody out there to know that I’m committed 100% to walk lockstep with the governor to make sure this goes through in the legislators. Thank you. Forgot to bow kevin. Sorry. No, you’re good. You’re good. Good morning. Thank you again governor. Um, just want to get over logistics a little bit. As the governor mentioned, there are several steps that department is going to take to make sure that we infection weight really a smooth transition to reduce the toll rates and pursue the ultimate purchase of this bridge. In the short term, we’re going to focus on launching the reduced to rate schedule. Again, drivers that use the facility can get a some pass transponder. We truly recommend everyone do that And they pay a passenger car to axel Tory of only $2.30. As this boy shows. Getting a son passed transponder is really easy. You can purchase the son passed many at cBS Publix, many other establishments for as low as 4 99. And when you get it and you set up your account, get that transponder. You also have the ability to use this transponder and any toll facility across the state. You also will be ensured to pay the lowest rate of any users of those transportation facilities if you want to use that transponder in Georgia, north Carolina, It’s work, it can work there. We also have the flexibility now of the Sun past Pro which we have interoperability now with the EZ Pass states in the Northeast. So now you can take that some past pro and use it for 19 states across this country. So over the next few weeks we’ll be doing the necessary reprogramming of our I. T. Systems to properly incorporate the neutral schedule as well as obviously new signs. We’ll also be training our toll collectors and customer service representatives on the new rates. And the goal is to have this rate structure in the next couple of weeks as this is happening concurrently, the department will begin negotiations with the current bound holders, will honor the requirements in florida statutes to make sure we notify the proper groups, and we’ll coordinate both agreements with the both parties and draft legislation again, as the governor mentioned, to put this into law. But the first priority is launching toll and incentives. So Motors experience this relief immediately again. Thank you governor for your leadership. Thank you for having us here. Yeah. Yeah. Face that. Thank you for your feedback. Oh. Mhm.

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