Florida's Turnpike System

Florida’s Turnpike sysTem 

An Enterprise Fund of the Florida Department of Transportation 

Prepared by Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise Finance Office 

www.floridasturnpike.com 

Comprehensive Annual Financial Report 

Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2008

Table oF ConTenTs 

Introductory Section 

(Unaudited) 

Financial Section 

Statistical Section 

(Unaudited) 

1 Letter of Transmittal 

2 Reporting Entity 

4 Description of Florida's Turnpike System 

6 Fiscal Year 2008 Efforts and Accomplishments 

22 Finance and Planning 

25 Economic Conditions and Outlook 

28 Financial Information 

31 Other Information 

1 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT 

3 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (Unaudited) 

10 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

10 Statements of Net Assets 

12 Statements of Revenues, Expenses and Changes in Net Assets 

13 Statements of Cash Flows 

15 Notes to Financial Statements (Notes are an integral part of the Financial Statements) 

37 REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION OTHER THAN MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION 

AND ANALYSIS 

2 Net Assets 

3 Changes in Net Assets 

4 Capital Assets 

5 Current Toll Rates Per Mile 

6 Principal Customers 

7 Turnpike System Revenue 

8 Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) 

9 Mainline 

10 HEFT 

12 Golden Glades to Wildwood 

14 Beachline West Expressway 

16 Sawgrass Expressway 

18 Seminole Expressway 

20 Veterans Expressway 

22 Southern Connector Extension 

24 Polk Parkway 

26 Suncoast Parkway 

28 Western Beltway, Part C 

30 Concession Revenue 

31 Ratios of Outstanding Debt by Type 

32 Revenue Bond Coverage 

33 Legal Bonded Debt Information 

34 Demographic and Economic Statistics 

35 Non-Agricultural Employment 

36 Number of Employees and Capital Assets 

38 Operating Indicators 

40 Comparative Passenger Car Tolls

CHARLIE CRIST 

GOVERNOR 

December 15, 2008 

Ms. Stephanie Kopelousos, Secretary 

Florida Department of Transportation 

605 Suwannee Street 

Tallahassee, Florida 32399 

Dear Secretary Kopelousos: 


James L. Ely, Executive Director / 

Chief Executive Officer 

Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise 

Robin M. Naitove, CPA, Comptroller 


SunPass® is a registered trademark of the Florida Department of Transportation. 

www.dot.state.fl.us 

William F. Thorp, CPA, Deputy Executive Director / 

Chief Financial Officer 


Nicola A. Liquori, CPA, Deputy Chief Financial Officer 


STEPHANIE C. KOPELOUSOS 

SECRETARY 

On behalf of the Turnpike System, we are pleased to submit this Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008. This year 

was notable for the production accomplishments achieved. A key accomplishment was the conversion of four of the Turnpike’s busiest toll plazas to 

open road tolling (ORT) within seven months. The Bird Road and Homestead plazas in Miami-Dade County, the Cypress Creek plaza in Broward 

County and the Lantana plaza in Palm Beach County now provide the safety and convenience of highway speed electronic toll collection to SunPass 

customers. 

The Turnpike continues to add capacity to the existing System through its widening program. In FY 2008, the Turnpike completed 72 lane-miles 

of widening projects in Broward and Orange counties and had other widening projects under construction in Palm Beach, Broward, and Orange 

counties that will add over 85 lane-miles to the System upon completion. In addition, the resurfacing of 305 lane-miles of the Turnpike System was 

completed and a new SunPass Only interchange at Jog Road in Palm Beach County was opened. To enhance the toll and roadway operations, the 

Turnpike also continues to invest in safety and technology improvements. 

For the first time since the oil embargo of 1974-75, Turnpike traffic and revenues are less than last year. Turnpike toll revenues for the year were $636 

million, a four percent decrease from the prior year. This decrease is due to the downturn in the economy. However, the percentage of SunPass transactions 

as compared to total transactions increased to over 66 percent. To further encourage SunPass participation, the Sunpass Mini sticker tag transponder 

was introduced in July 2008 and has received an enthusiastic public response. The SunPass Mini is priced at $4.99, which is $20 less than the 

portable transponder. 

In preparing this report, responsibility for the accuracy of the data and the completeness and fairness of the presentation, including all disclosures, 

rests with the management of the Turnpike Enterprise and the Florida Department of Transportation. To the best of our knowledge and belief, the 

enclosed data is accurate in all material respects and is reported in a manner designed to present fairly the financial position and results of operations 

of the Turnpike System which is reported as an enterprise fund. 

To facilitate the understanding of the financial affairs of the Turnpike System, the CAFR is divided into an Introductory Section, Financial Section, 

and Statistical Section. To gain a more complete understanding of the operations and financial condition of the Turnpike System, Management’s 

Discussion and Analysis (MD&A), contained in the Financial Section, introduces the basic financial statements and provides a brief analysis of the 

financial activities of the Turnpike System. 

Respectfully submitted,


Florida’s Turnpike sysTem 

Reporting Entity 

Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (Enterprise) is responsible for the management 

of Florida’s Turnpike System and the collection of tolls on seven other facilities 

owned or operated by the Florida Department of Transportation (Department). 

Florida’s Turnpike was created in 1953 as the Florida State Turnpike Authority 

and became part of the Department in 1969. The Turnpike was reorganized as 

an Office within the Department in 1988 and as a District in 1994. In 2002, 

the Turnpike became an Enterprise within the Department pursuant to House 

Bill 261. The mission of the Enterprise is to help meet the State’s growing 

transportation needs, ensuring value to customers, protecting investors and 

managing the Turnpike System in a business-like manner. 

The Turnpike System conducts its operations as an enterprise fund within the 

Department. The Department is headed by the Secretary of Transportation 

(Secretary) who is appointed by the Governor from among three persons 

nominated by the Florida Transportation Commission (Commission). The 

Secretary is subject to confirmation by the Senate and serves at the pleasure of 

the Governor. 

Stephanie C. Kopelousos was appointed Secretary by Governor Charlie Crist 

on April 2, 2007. Prior to that appointment, she was named Interim Secretary 

by Governor Crist on January 2, 2007, after more than a decade of professional 

experience in state and federal public policy, with a particular emphasis in 

transportation. 

The Commission is an oversight board consisting of nine members, appointed 

by the Governor, with private-sector business experience. The Commissioners 

serve uncompensated, staggered terms of four years and may be reappointed. 

The Department is decentralized into seven Districts and the Turnpike 

Enterprise. The District Secretaries and the Executive Director of the Turnpike 

Enterprise report to the Department’s Secretary. James Ely, the Turnpike’s 

Executive Director, has led the Turnpike management team since 1989. 

There are four major functional areas which report to the Executive Director: 

Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), General 

Counsel, and Director of Communications & Marketing. Most offices are 

located in the Turnpike Enterprise Headquarters at the Turkey Lake Service 

Plaza, milepost 263, on the Turnpike in Orange County. However, the 

Highway Operations and Communications & Marketing Offices are located in 

the Turnpike Operations Center at the Pompano Service Plaza, milepost 65, on 

the Turnpike in Broward County. 

2 

CHAIRMAN 

SECRETARY 

FLORIDA TRANSPORTATION 

COMMISSION 

Marcos R. Marchena 

Orlando 

Martha Lanahan 

Jacksonville 

Marshall Criser, III 

Miami 

Bart R. Pullum 

Navarre 

Garrett Walton 

Pensacola 

VICE-CHAIRMAN 

Sidney C. Calloway 

Plantation 

Thomas Conrecode, P.E. 

Naples 

Joseph M. Mazurkiewicz 

Cape Coral 

Manual S. Rose 

Clearwater 

To provide leadership in meeting 

Florida’s transportation needs through 

policy guidance on issues of statewide 

importance and maintaining public 

accountability for the Department of 

Transportation. 

MISSION STATEMENT

GENERAL 

COUNSEL 

Alexis Yarbrough 

ASSISTANT SECRETARY 

ENGINEERING & OPERATIONS 

Kevin Thibault, PE 

CHIEF OF STAFF & 

LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMS 

Vacant 

GENERAL COUNSEL 

J. Walter Spiva 

COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING 

Kim Poulton 

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT 

CONSULTANT 


FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION 

Vacant 

GOVERNOR 

Charlie Crist 

SECRETARY 

Stephanie C. Kopelousos 

FEDERAL PROGRAMS 

ADMINISTRATOR 

Darcy Kohn 

DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / 

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER 

Jennifer Olson, PE 

PLANNING & PRODUCTION 

Willliam F. Sloup, PE 

HIGHWAY OPERATIONS 

Paul Wai, PE 

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 

& CONCESSION MANAGEMENT 

GENERAL CONSULTANTS 

TRAFFIC AND REVENUE CONSULTANT 

INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION 

SYSTEMS CONSULTANT 

MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT 

CONSULTANT 

TOLL OPERATIONS 

Richard D. Nelson 

Mark Beall 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 

James L. Ely, DPA 

INSPECTOR 

GENERAL 

Ron Russo 

DISTRICTS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 

TURNPIKE ENTERPRISE 

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS 

Raymond Ashe 

DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / 

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 

William F. Thorp, CPA, CGFM 

Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2008 

COMMUNICATIONS 

DIRECTOR 

Dick Kane 


INTERMODAL SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT 

Debbie Hunt 

FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL 

TROOP K 

Major Brent Coates 

FINANCIAL PLANNING & REPORTING 

Nicola A. Liquori, CPA 

FINANCIAL SERVICES 

Leonard Antmann 

WORK PROGRAM 

Kenneth Umlauf 

CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 

Woodrow L. Lawson 

ADMINISTRATION 

Brett Hartzog 

Parsons Brinckerhoff BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT/ 

MARKETING/CUSTOMER SERVICE/ 

KPMG, LLP 

HNTB and PBS&J 

PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT 

LEASE AGREEMENT FOR SERVICE HMS Host Tollroads, Inc. 

URS Corporation 

PLAZA RESTAURANTS/FOOD 

TransCore 

OPERATIONS 

Jacobs Civil, Inc. 

PEOPLE OF FLORIDA 

SERVICE STATION LEASE AND 

OPERATING AGREEMENT 

Martin Petroleum Corporation 

of Florida 

3


descripTion oF Florida’s 

Turnpike sysTem 

4 

Florida’s Turnpike Mainline: A 320-mile, multi- 

lane facility extending from Florida City in Miami-Dade 

County northward to Wildwood in Sumter County. This 

contiguous roadway consists of the 47-mile Homestead 

Extension of Florida’s Turnpike (HEFT), the 43-mile 

Southern Coin System, the 155-mile Ticket System, 

the 67-mile Northern Coin System, and the 8-mile 

Beachline West Expressway. The first four facilities are 

contiguous in a north-south direction. The Beachline 

West Expressway (formerly Bee Line West Expressway) 

intersects with the Northern Coin System and has an 

east-west orientation. The Mainline opened from Miami to 

Fort Pierce in 1957, Fort Pierce to Orlando South in 1963 

and Orlando South to Wildwood in 1964. The Beachline 

West Expressway opened in 1973 and the HEFT opened 

the following year. 

TOLL 

869 

Sawgrass Expressway: A 23-mile, four-lane 

limited-access toll facility beginning with a connection to 

I-595 and I-75, extending north, then east, to Powerline 

Road (between the Mainline and I-95). It provides a 

bypass of the urban Fort Lauderdale and Miami areas 

for motorists traveling south from the Mainline in 

northern Broward County. As directed by the legislature, 

this facility was acquired from the Broward County 

Expressway Authority in 1990, and with the defeasance 

of all related outstanding bonds in December 2000, title 

to this facility now vests with the Turnpike. 

TOLL 

570 

Polk Parkway: A 25-mile, limited-access toll facility 

that forms a partial loop around the south side of the city 

of Lakeland, connecting with I-4 at Clark Road on the 

west and Mt. Olive Road on the east. This facility opened 

in three stages and fully opened to traffic in December 

1999. 

TOLL 

589 

Veterans Expressway: A 15-mile, four-lane 

limited-access toll facility extending north from the 

Courtney Campbell Causeway (SR 60) near the Tampa 

International Airport to Dale Mabry Highway (SR 597) just 

north of Van Dyke Road. This facility opened to traffic in 

October 1994. 

Suncoast Parkway: A 42-mile, four-lane limitedaccess 

toll facility that extends from the Veterans 

Expressway near Van Dyke Road in Hillsborough 

County, northward through Pasco County, terminating 

at US 98 in Hernando County. This facility opened in 

stages and fully opened to traffic in August 2001. 

TOLL 

417 

Seminole Expressway: An 18-mile, four-lane 

limited-access toll facility. The original 12-mile section, 

SR 426 to US 17/92, opened to traffic in June 1994; the 

final 6-mile section, US 17/92 to I-4, opened to traffic 

in September 2002. The expressway connects with the 

Central Florida GreeneWay, a toll facility operated by the 

Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority (OOCEA), 

at SR 426 in east Orlando. 

Southern Connector Extension: A 6-mile, four- 

lane limited-access toll facility that connects the Central 

Florida GreeneWay southwestward to I-4 in Osceola 

County. The facility opened to traffic in June 1996. 

TOLL 

429 

Western Beltway, Part C: An 11-mile, limited- 

access toll facility extending from I-4 in Osceola County 

across US 192 to Seidel Road in Orange County. The 

facility provides an alternate north-south route between 

Florida’s Turnpike and I-4. Opened in two stages, the 

facility fully opened to traffic in December 2006.

Florida Department 

of Transportation 

Headquarters 

The Turnpike System consists of 460 miles of 

limited-access toll facilities. Financed primarily 

by toll and concession revenues, the Turnpike 

System has provided the State’s residents and 

visitors with a safe and efficient means of travel 

since 1957. Today, its primary customers are the 

urban commuters in the Miami-Dade, Broward 

and Palm Beach counties and the Orlando and 

Northern Tampa urban areas. There are eight 

service plazas located along the Mainline. These 

plazas contain restaurants, concessions, and 

service stations for the benefit of customers. In 

addition, numerous other Turnpike facilities that 

support daily operations are located primarily 

on the Turnpike Mainline. These facilities 

include the Turnpike Headquarters and the 

Pompano Operations Center. The toll operations 

facilities are comprised of the Toll Operations 

Headquarters, Boca Data Center, two SunPass 

Service centers, and six Regional Toll Offices. 

Traffic Management Centers (TMCs) are also 

housed in the Turnpike Headquarters and the 

Pompano Operations Center. 

Tampa 

Florida’s Turnpike 

Florida’s Interstates 

Other Toll Facilities 

Regional Toll Offices 


Enterprise 

Headquarters 

TOLL 

429 

Data Center and SunPass 

Operations Center 


Operations Center 


Orlando 

Palm Beach 

North Broward 

South Broward 

Miami 

5


6 

Fiscal year 2008 eFForTs 

and accomplishmenTs 

Florida’s Turnpike is a leading and trusted component in the Florida transportation 

system – a component that stands for quality service, reliability and innovation. Our 

mission is to enhance the long-term value of the Enterprise by serving Florida’s increasing 

transportation needs. We will achieve this mission by providing valued service to 

our customers, improving the efficiency of our operations and making investments in 

the highway system. We achieved a number of milestones in FY 2008, highlighting the 

value of the Enterprise and the dedication of our employees. 

Enterprise management tracks various performance measures to evaluate the level of 

effectiveness and efficiency of Turnpike operations. The four primary performance 

measures utilized are: (1) Customer Satisfaction; (2) SunPass Participation; (3) Cost 

Per Transaction; and (4) Revenue Collection Efficiency. 

The Enterprise strives to operate its road with the customer in mind, resulting in 

sustained improvement in safety, convenience and overall customer satisfaction. 

The Enterprise utilizes customer surveys and questionnaires in order to establish its 

Customer Satisfaction benchmark. For FY 2008, 92 percent of customers felt they 

received value in the form of safety, service and convenience for the toll paid, and 96 

percent of customers said they would recommend using the Turnpike System to family 

and friends. 96 percent of customers also responded that they would recommend 

using SunPass, the Turnpike’s electronic toll collection system. 

Turnpike Customers are Saying.... 

I feel I receive value I would recommend the Turnpike 

92% 96% 

96% 

I would recommend SunPass

SunPass provides for increased throughput at toll plazas 

and better utilization of toll road capacity as compared 

to traditional cash toll collection. In order to improve 

efficiency at toll plazas, the Turnpike continues to promote 

the advantages of electronic toll collection to its 

customers in order to increase “SunPass Participation”, 

or the number of toll transactions collected utilizing 

SunPass versus total transactions collected. As of June 

2008, participation was 66.5 percent, an increase of 

2.2 percent from the 65.1 percent participation at 

June 2007. To encourage additional participation, the 

Turnpike expanded opportunities for electronic toll 

collection with Open Road Tolling (ORT) locations 

and, in July 2008, introduced the new, low-cost SunPass 

Mini sticker tag transponder. 

The Enterprise calculates a Cost per Transaction each 

year to evaluate the effectiveness of its toll operations. 

This is measured in terms of toll operational costs as 

compared to total transactions processed. For FY 2008, 

the Cost per Transaction was 18.0 cents, compared to 

16.2 cents per transaction in the prior year. SunPass 

transactions for FY 2008 grew by more than 2 percent 

compared to FY 2007 and thus, toll collection costs 


associated with processing SunPass transactions also 

increased. By contrast, cash transactions for FY 2008 

decreased by more than 12 percent as compared to FY 

2007; however, toll collection costs associated with cash 

collection tend to be more fixed in nature, therefore, 

operating efficiencies from fewer cash transactions are 

not typically realized until cash lanes are decommissioned. 

Based on the lower transactions that occurred 

in FY 2008, Turnpike management has implemented a 

cost reduction plan which may result in lower conventional 

toll collection costs and fewer cash lanes starting 

in FY 2009. 

Revenue Collection Efficiency is a ratio of actual 

revenues collected as compared to revenues that are 

expected to be collected. Toll collection efficiency of 

95.7 percent for FY 2008 was slightly lower than the 

96.3 percent in FY 2007. Variances between actual revenues 

collected and expected revenues are primarily the 

result of toll evasion, or “leakage”. Toll evasion is more 

likely to occur in unmanned lanes, such as the dedicated 

SunPass lanes; however, it is important to note that 

SunPass dedicated lanes significantly increase throughput 

at toll plazas, reduce congestion, enhance safety, and 

7


provide a high-level of customer service through reduced 

travel times. The Enterprise utilizes violation enforcement 

efforts, including the Unpaid Toll Notice (UTN) and 

Uniform Traffic Citation (UTC) toll evasion enforcement 

processes, to minimize this variance. 

TECHNOLOGY 

While the Turnpike’s performance measures provide a 

means of quantitatively assessing progress towards specific 

goals, other major accomplishments were achieved during 

FY 2008 in technology. The Turnpike is committed to 

using modern technology and applications to implement 

tolling solutions that improve traffic flow and benefit the 

traveling public. 

The use of highway speed electronic tolling, also known 

as ORT, results in improved customer service and traffic 

flow for motorists with SunPass. To help bring the conve- 

8 

ORT Lite at Bird Road Toll Plaza 

nience of ORT quickly to more travelers, the Enterprise 

developed and implemented its ORT Lite solution. The 

ORT Lite system uses innovative contracting methods 

with lower cost prefabricated gantries to convert dedicated 

SunPass lanes to high-capacity ORT lanes within 

existing Mainline toll plazas in a short period of time, 

lessening impacts to the traveling public. 

ORT and ORT Lite require the removal of tollbooths, 

gates and concrete barriers from the SunPass-only 

lanes and the installation of the SunPass toll collection 

equipment overhead. Motorists with SunPass pay the 

toll while traveling at highway speeds instead of the 

current designated speed limit of 25 mph. Cash and 

mixed-use lanes remain operational but are segregated 

from the SunPass-Only lanes. Upon completion, each 

SunPass ORT lane accommodates an additional 800plus 

vehicles per hour as compared to a regular SunPass 

lane with gates and barriers and more than five times as 

many vehicles as a tollbooth with an attendant.

Though considered a temporary solution to the more 

functional Turnpike signature gantries, the lower cost 

ORT Lite solution allowed the Enterprise to bring highspeed 

electronic tolling to four additional Mainline toll 

plazas (20 additional lanes) in heavily urbanized south 

Florida in a seven month period. The Mainline toll plazas 

converted were the Bird Road and Homestead plazas in 

Miami-Dade County, the Cypress Creek plaza in Broward 

County and the Lantana plaza in Palm Beach County. 

These ORT SunPass lanes enhance traffic throughput and 

provide for improved safety conditions. 

The Bird Road and Homestead toll plaza ORT Lite 

project was selected as regional winner of America’s 

Transportation Award in the On Time category by 

the Southeastern Association of State Highway and 

Transportation Officials (SASHTO) in August 2008. 

The project was completed in record time as compared to 

the average 18 month construction time required for the 

SunPass signature gantry. 

Upon completion of extensive testing, new multi-protocol 

readers were installed in System SunPass lanes in 2008. 

These readers 

replaced the existing 

aging readers 

and enabled 

the Turnpike to 

enhance overall 

lane technology. 

The readers 

are dual mode meaning they 

can handle any two protocols 

simultaneously. The new readers 

read both the existing population 

of over 3.6 million hard-case 

transponders and the new SunPass 

Mini sticker tag transponder. The 

readers were installed in more 

than 580 SunPass toll lanes on the 

Turnpike System in less than one 

year. 


Beginning July 2008, the next generation of SunPass, 

the SunPass Mini sticker tag transponder, became available. 

The Turnpike conducted extensive testing and 

coordination with other Florida toll agencies regarding 

the implementation of the new, less expensive transponder 

technology. The SunPass Mini is a lower cost alternative 

to the original hard-case SunPass transponder and sells for 

$4.99. Unlike the hard case 

transponder, which continues 

to be available for 

purchase, batteries are 

not required for the 

SunPass Mini and the 

credit card sized tag 

adheres to the interior 

vehicle windshield. 

9


Keeping toll lanes open to traffic is vital to maintaining 

a high level of service. The SunWatch Operations 

Center is a state-of-the-art command and control 

maintenance center specifically designed to monitor 

and maintain toll collection systems. Located in 

Orlando, the SunWatch Operations Center facilitates 

and assesses incoming technical issues and responds 

to requests for service and repairs quickly and 

efficiently. Statewide, SunWatch is responsible for 

keeping over 1,200 lanes of equipment operational. 

The Toll Excellence Awards recognize International 

Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) 

member agencies that are furthering the aims of the 

industry through creative, innovative and positive 

programs. The IBTTA Toll Excellence Awards are 

designed to recognize achievement and are a tool 

by which new ideas may be shared within the inter- 

10 

Earns highest honors 

from IBTTA 

national toll industry. Recognition is given in five 

categories with one of the winners also receiving the 

prestigious President’s Award. SunWatch is the 2008 

IBTTA Toll Excellence Operations Award recipient 

as well as the 2008 IBTTA Toll Excellence President’s 

Award recipient. 

SunWatch Operations Center staff remotely monitor 

the performance of the toll system equipment in the 

lanes on a statewide basis 24 hours per day 7 days 

per week. Additionally, they perform diagnostics and 

remote repairs, and dispatch field technicians to toll 

facilities that are experiencing equipment problems. 

The Maintenance regions are made up of toll equipment 

repair technicians and supervisors who are 

dispatched by the SunWatch Operations Center. The 

SunWatch program will play a key role in supporting 

the ultimate transition to all electronic tolling (AET).

CCTV Camera 

Vehicle Detection 

System 

INFORMING THE TRAVELER 

Traffic Management Center 


Dynamic Message Sign 

Highway Advisory Radio 

Travel Time System Traffic Information Display 

While the Turnpike continues to invest in tolling 

technology, it also has embarked on an aggressive 

Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) deployment 

program over the last several years. ITS is a blend of 

electronic devices administered by Traffic Management 

Center (TMC) staff and is intended to advance the 

Turnpike’s safety and customer service initiatives. The 

TMCs utilize an array of technology and systems to 

reduce the amount of congestion on the roadway, 

help coordinate emergency response efforts, and help 

prevent secondary crashes. 

With two facilities (Pompano Beach at milepost 65 

and Turkey Lake at milepost 263) and centralized operations, 

the TMC staff control, monitor, operate and 

manage traffic along Florida’s Turnpike and all system 

roadways 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The staff 

works closely with the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), 

the State Farm Safety Patrol (Road Rangers), Florida 

Department of Transportation districts, 511 travel 

information providers, traffic media, construction and 

maintenance personnel, the Public Information Office 

and other agencies to provide accurate and timely 

information. In addition, the TMCs are equipped to 

serve as emergency operation centers during hurricane 

evacuations and other disaster-related incidents. 

The ITS equipment includes fiber-optic cable, closed 

circuit television (CCTV) cameras, vehicle detection 

systems (VDS), Dynamic Message Signs (DMS), 

Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) transmitters and beacons, 

and travel time systems (TTS). This equipment 

gives the TMC the ability to fully manage incidents on 

the Turnpike and to provide customers with improved 

traffic information, reduced congestion and enhanced 

safety. 

11


The VDS and TTS allow the TMC to determine the 

location of incidents on the System, as well as the 

extent of traffic backups caused by incidents. This 

equipment also provides average speeds and traffic 

volumes, which can be used for more efficient speed 

enforcement, better planning for future roadway 

improvements, and the display of travel times on the 

existing and future Turnpike dynamic message signs to 

inform the public. 

In addition, the TMC operates Dynamic Message 

Signs and Highway Advisory Radio transmitters to 

help disseminate information to Florida’s Turnpike 

customers. Currently, Florida’s Turnpike has 56 

dynamic message signs along the Mainline and the 

Beachline Expressway. These electronically illuminated 

signs are strategically placed. The signs, contained in 

overhead structures spanning the width of the roadway, 

provide real-time information about traffic delays, 

incidents, emergency operations and construction. 

Additionally, during FY 2008 work was completed 

on the Toll Operations fiber optic network on the 

Mainline which included connecting more than 80 

toll facilities on the Mainline with the host computer 

processing centers in Boca Raton and Orlando. 

Other major accomplishments were achieved during 

FY 2008 in the areas of safety, preservation, capacity 

and customer service. 

SAFETY 

Florida’s Turnpike serves more than 2 million motorists 

on a daily basis. This brings increased challenges, as 

Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise customers want reliable 

highways with predictable travel times. To continue to 

meet and exceed our customers’ expectations, Florida’s 

Turnpike is committed to creating a safe environment 

for all motorists. 

12 

Part of the Turnpike’s safety program is keeping roads 

unobstructed of vehicles that have been involved in 

accidents in order to prevent additional accidents from 

occurring. The Turnpike’s Rapid Incident Scene Clearance 

(RISC) initiative significantly reduces vehicle clearance 

times by providing an incentive for using specialized 

vehicle recovery equipment and procedures. The policy 

maximizes the effectiveness of Traffic Management Centers 

and advanced computer technology for accident clearance. 

Selected recovery contractors are assigned specific sections 

of the Turnpike and are required to respond and clear travel 

lanes within a pre-determined period. The RISC program 

awards towing contractors “quick clearance” bonuses if 

they clear accidents and restore traffic operations within 

86% of incidents cleared within 

required time limit

the pre-determined period. Operators have 60 minutes 

to arrive on the scene and another 90 minutes to clear 

accidents as part of Florida’s Turnpike open roads policy. 

For FY 2008, 86 percent of RISC-activated incidents 

were cleared within the required time limit resulting in 

minimal impact to the flow of traffic. 

Troop K of the FHP, in partnership with Florida’s 

Turnpike, provides a proactive approach to traffic safety 

to ensure safe and secure roadways and service plazas for 

the motoring public. The Turnpike provides funding to 

the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor 

Vehicles (DHSMV) to cover the cost of Troop K. For 

decades, the FHP has patrolled the Turnpike Mainline as 

part of the Turnpike’s safety program. In FY 2008, a new 

22,000 square-foot facility at the West Palm Beach Service 

Plaza in Palm Beach County was completed that serves as 

headquarters for Troop K as well as a traffic management 

and dispatch center. 

Customer safety is enhanced by the Turnpike’s Road 

Ranger program, also known as the State Farm Safety 

Patrol. Specially-equipped Road Ranger vehicles travel 

Florida’s Turnpike looking for stranded motorists, debris 

New law enforcement complex at West Palm Beach service plaza 


on the road, traffic accidents or other incidents. There 

are fifteen Road Ranger vehicles that patrol the entire 

Turnpike Mainline, which includes the HEFT, as well as 

the Sawgrass Expressway. In addition, the Turnpike has 

partnered with the Orlando-Orange County Expressway 

Authority (OOCEA) and District 7 to provide Road 

Ranger Services on the Seminole Expressway, Southern 

Connector Extension and the Veterans Expressway. The 

program currently runs 8 hours to 14 hours per day at no 

cost to the customer. A portion of the program is funded 

through a sponsorship by State Farm Insurance. Road 

Rangers are dispatched by the TMC and are tracked 

through an automatic vehicle locator system. During FY 

2008, Road Rangers responded to nearly 98,000 service 

calls for roadside assistance. 

Based on valuable experience gained in prior years from 

hurricanes that damaged areas through which the Turnpike 

passes, the Turnpike has completed emergency traffic routing 

plans for each service plaza on the Turnpike System, 

including both regular traffic flow and contraflow operations. 

In addition, the Turnpike Enterprise has established 

emergency “strike teams” – employees who volunteer to 

assist at service plazas during emergency situations. 

13


PRODUCTION ACCOMPLISHMENTS 

2007 

July 

Began construction of the $123 million Mainline widening 

in Orange County from Interstate 4 to Gotha Road from 

four to eight lanes 

Began construction of the $45 million ORT modification at 

the Deerfield Toll Facility on the Sawgrass Expressway in 

Broward County 

Began construction of the ORT Lite conversion at the Bird 

Road and Homestead Toll Plazas on the HEFT in Miami- 

Dade County 

Began construction of the ORT Lite conversion at the 

Cypress Creek Toll Plaza on the Mainline in Broward 

County 

August 

Began construction of the ORT Lite conversion at the 

Lantana Toll Plaza on the Mainline in Palm Beach County 

14 

September 

Began the $6 million resurfacing project on the 

Beachline West from milepost 0 to 4 in Orange County 

October 

Completed the $10 million resurfacing project on the 

Mainline from milepost 125 to 138 in Martin County 

Completed construction of the $21 million Jog Road 

partial interchange at milepost 98 on the Mainline in 

Palm Beach County 

December 


Veterans Expressway in Hillsborough County 

Began the $15 million resurfacing project on the Mainline 

from milepost 298 to 309 in Sumter County 

2008 

February 


Polk Parkway from milepost 0 to 8 in Polk County

February 

Began construction of the $10 million SunPass-only 

Lutz-Lake Fern Road interchange at milepost 16 on the 

Suncoast Parkway in Hillsborough County 

Completed construction of the ORT Lite conversion at the 

Cypress Creek Toll Plaza on the Southern Coin System of 

the Mainline in Broward County 


Bird Road and Homestead Toll Plazas on the HEFT in Miami- 

Dade County 


Lantana Toll Plaza on the Mainline in Palm Beach County 

Began construction of the $59 million widening from four 

to eight lanes on the Mainline in Orange County from 

Hemple Road to Beulah Road 

Completed construction of the $5 million median guardrail 

improvement project on the Polk Parkway covering 18 

miles 

March 

Completed the $83 million widening project on the 

Sawgrass Expressway from Coral Ridge Drive to the 

Mainline in Broward County 

April 


Mainline from milepost 118 to 125 in Martin County 

Completed the $17 million construction of SunPassonly 

lanes at four Sawgrass Expressway interchanges: 

Commercial Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard, Sample Road, 

University Drive 

May 



Mainline from milepost 74 to 77 in Palm Beach County 

Began the $53 million widening project on the Beachline 

West from milepost 4 to 8 from four to six lanes 


Beachline West from milepost 0 to 4 in Orange County 

June 


Mainline from milepost 138 to 154 in St. Lucie County 

Completed construction of the $55 million Sawgrass 

Expressway widening in Broward County from Atlantic 

Boulevard to Coral Ridge Drive from four to six lanes 

Completed installation of a $20 million canal cable 

barrier system in St. Lucie, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade 

Counties 

August 

Completed the $40 million ORT modification at the 

Sunrise toll facility on the Sawgrass Expressway in 

Broward County 

September 


Mainline from milepost 199 to 207 and 227 to 249 in 

Osceola County 

Pictured: Open Road Tolling at Sunrise Toll Plaza 

15


Each service plaza, the Data Center/SunPass Service 

Center in Boca Raton, the Operations/FHP building 

at Turkey Lake, the Turnpike headquarters building at 

Turkey Lake, and the Operations Center in Pompano are 

equipped with industrial-size generators that can provide 

up to 72 hours of power during emergency situations, 

such as power outages caused by hurricane activity, before 

being refueled. With power at all of the Turnpike service 

plazas, the public and emergency personnel are able to 

refuel their vehicles during emergencies, take a break 

inside air-conditioned service plaza buildings, and utilize 

restroom facilities. Additionally, restaurant facilities inside 

Turnpike service plazas continue to operate during power 

outages. 

While management continues to focus on enhancing 

customer safety and service, additional investments will be 

made to maintain and preserve the existing system. 

16 

M I S S I O N 

The department 

will provide a safe 

transportation system 

that ensures the 

mobility of people 

and goods, enhances 

economic prosperity and 

preserves the quality 

of our environment and 

communities. 

To help meet the 

State’s transportation 

needs, ensuring 

value to customers, 

protecting investors and 

managing the Turnpike 

System in a businesslike 

manner. 

PRESERVATION AND MAINTENANCE 

The Turnpike has a comprehensive routine and periodic 

maintenance program and an extensive asset management 

system. 

The condition of the administrative, maintenance and 

communications buildings is the responsibility of the 

Facilities maintenance office, while the 460 miles of the 

Turnpike System are the responsibility of the Roadway 

maintenance office. Toll Operations provides for maintenance 

of the toll plazas and HMS Host and Martin 

Petroleum are responsible for the maintenance of the 

service plazas and service stations, respectively. In the 

event of a disaster, such as a hurricane, maintenance staff 

are charged with keeping facilities and roads open to the 

traveling public, removing debris and maintaining prestorm 

and post-storm operations. 

Significant investments were made to preserve the 

Turnpike System during FY 2008 including 448 lanemiles 

of resurfacing on the following projects: 

• Completed 62 lane-miles of the Mainline from 

milepost 138 to 154 in St. Lucie County 


milepost 125 to 138 in Martin County 

• Completed 60 lane-miles of the Veterans 

Expressway in Hillsborough County 

• Completed 36 lane-miles of the Polk Parkway 

• Continued 100 lane-miles of the Mainline in 

Osceola County 

• Completed 50 lane-miles of the Mainline in Palm 

Beach County 


milepost 118 to 125 in Martin County 

• Began 43 lane-miles of the Mainline in Sumter 

County 

• Completed 16 lane-miles of the Beachline in 

Orange County

The Turnpike maintains a high standard when it comes 

to preserving existing facilities; most Turnpike roads are 

resurfaced every 10 to 12 years. Florida’s Turnpike System 

continues to be one of the best maintained roadways in 

the state highway system. 

The Office of the State Maintenance Engineer performs a 

sampling of five specific areas to develop the maintenance 

rating for roadways on the state highway system. The ratings 

cover roadway, roadside, vegetation/aesthetics, traffic 

services and drainage. The Turnpike received an overall 

rating of 91 for FY 2008 (the minimum requirement is 

a score of 80). In keeping with its high standards, the 

Turnpike has established routine maintenance funding 

levels for the maintenance of the Turnpike System. 

Through its aggressive routine and periodic maintenance 

program, the Turnpike System provides its customers with 

a safe and aesthetically pleasing journey. 

While safety, preservation and maintenance activities take 

precedence, the Turnpike is also engaged in expansion of 

the System as well as adding capacity and access to existing 

facilities. 

50 60 70 

Maintenance Rating 

FY 1999 - FY 2008 

2008 91 

2007 

2006 

2005 

2004 

2003 

2002 

2001 

2000 

1999 

Minimum Requirement 

80 90 100 

Serving the people of 

Florida by delivering a 

transportation system 

that is fatality and 

congestion free. 

Helping to keep 

Florida on the 

move through 

customer-oriented, 

environmentally 

sound, user financed 

facilities. 

CAPACITY 


V I S I O N 

FY 2008 was marked by numerous improvements to 

the Turnpike System. Several widening projects were 

underway in anticipation of future growth and to relieve 

existing congestion. Major construction projects in 

progress during the year included widening projects on 

the Mainline in Broward and Orange counties, on the 

Sawgrass Expressway in Broward County, and on the 

Beachline West in Orange County, as well as several access 

projects. 

Construction continued on the widening project on the 

Southern Coin System in Broward County. Additional 

lanes are being constructed between Griffin Road (exit 

53) and Atlantic Boulevard (exit 66) and will result in 

an additional 54 lane-miles to the System. Currently this 

portion of the Turnpike experiences an average of 94,000 

vehicles per day and the additional capacity will enhance 

safety since this section of the Mainline serves as an evacuation 

route. 

17


Early in Fiscal Year 2008, construction began on the widening 

of the Mainline in Orange County from Interstate 

4 to north of Gotha Road from four to eight lanes 

which will add 22 lane-miles on the System. The project 

includes two bridge replacements and 27,000 linear feet 

of sound barrier walls. In February 2008, construction 

began on the widening of the Mainline in Orange County 

from Hemple Road to Beulah Road. This project will 

add four lanes to the existing four lanes resulting in an 

additional 12 lane-miles on the System. 

On the Sawgrass Expressway in Broward County, work 

was completed during the year on the widening from 

Atlantic Boulevard to the Mainline. This segment of 

the Sawgrass Expressway was converted from four to six 

lanes adding approximately 27 lane-miles to the System. 

In addition to the roadway widening, improvements 

include sound barrier walls along residential areas, ramp 

modifications at the University Drive and Lyons Road 

interchanges, new median guardrail and the installation of 

fiber-optic conduit, electronic message signs and cameras 

as part of the Turnpike ITS program. 

In Orange County, construction continued on widening 

the Beachline West Expressway near milepost 6. This segment 

of the Beachline West will be converted from four 

to six lanes adding approximately 5 lane-miles. The widening 

is part of a series of enhancements that began in FY 

2007 and include the replacement of the Beachline West 

Mainline Toll Plaza featuring two SunPass express lanes in 

each direction with Turnpike signature gantries overhead. 

In May 2008, construction began on widening the lanes 

approaching the Beachline West Mainline Toll Plaza. This 

project will add two lanes to the existing four lanes resulting 

in an additional 5 lane-miles on the System. 

Part of the Turnpike’s mission to meet the State’s growing 

transportation needs is providing additional access to the 

existing Turnpike System. During FY 2008, a number of 

interchange projects were completed or ongoing on the 

System. 

18 

Construction continues in Orange County on 

the widening from four to eight lanes 

Construction is underway to convert the 

Beachline West toll plaza to ORT

The SunPass-only Jog Road interchange provides additional access in Palm Beach County 

The SunPass-only Jog Road partial interchange was completed 

in Palm Beach County at milepost 98. This interchange 

alleviates congestion at adjacent interchanges and provides 

access to and from the southbound Mainline. In Miami-Dade 

County, construction continued on the Northwest 74th Street 

interchange at milepost 30 on the HEFT. This SunPass-only 

interchange will relieve congestion at the Northwest 41st 

Street interchange to the south and the Northwest 106th 

Street interchange to the north. To accommodate the rapid 

growth in northern Hillsborough County, construction began 

in February, 2008 on the SunPass-only Lutz-Lake Fern Rd 

interchange on the SunCoast Parkway at milepost 16. 

The various widening and interchange projects provide 

additional transportation benefits to Turnpike customers. 

During FY 2008 additional improvements were completed 

or underway to provide for customer convenience, customer 

safety, and customer service. The SunPass electronic toll collection 

system is a key component in delivering world-class 

customer service. 

CUSTOMER SERVICE 

Since its creation in 1957, Florida’s Turnpike has focused on 

its most important client…the customers who travel Florida’s 


Turnpike each day. The Enterprise’s commitment to worldclass 

customer service is the foundation for the Enterprise’s 

service philosophy and service standards. The service 

philosophy is: ”We affect people’s lives by bringing a smile 

to the face of everyone we serve.” The Enterprise’s service 

standards are: Safety, Courtesy, Presentation and Efficiency. 

The first act of customer service is to provide for the 

welfare of customers and workers. The safety standard 

is embedded in initiatives that include roadway safety, 

personal safety, security and emergency services. After the 

safety standard is met, courtesy is the foremost principle. 

Worker interactions with customers are based on respect 

and friendliness. Courtesy includes remembering that 

everyone is important, meeting the needs of the individual, 

initiating assistance, making an excellent appearance and 

practicing politeness. The third standard, presentation, 

creates a good image when meeting with customers and 

provides a seamless customer experience. The final service 

standard, efficiency, provides a smooth and effective operation 

for customers through teamwork and operational 

readiness. These service standards are the principles that 

guide the workforce to provide consistent customer 

service on 460 miles of road, in eight service plazas and 

service stations, in two SunPass call centers and in every 

toll plaza. 

19


The Turnpike strives to provide 

a high-level of customer service 

through its SunPass system. 

SunPass lanes process up to 1,800 

vehicles per hour, 300 percent 

more than manual toll lanes. The 

added convenience of paying tolls 

electronically means less congestion 

at the toll plazas for Turnpike 

customers. Additionally, customers 

typically save money when paying 

with SunPass because the SunPass 

toll at most Turnpike facilities is 

less than the cash toll. More and 

more Turnpike customers are 

realizing the value of obtaining a 

transponder. 

Approximately 493,000 SunPass 

transponders were sold during 

FY 2008 with over 3.6 million 

transponders sold since inception 

of the SunPass program. 

Transponders are made available to 

Turnpike patrons at various outlets. 

During FY 2008, CVS/pharmacy 

stores and Publix Supermarkets 

sold a significant number of 

SunPass transponders accounting 

for approximately 76 percent of 

total sales during the year. Together, these two retailers 

provide SunPass with an extensive distribution system in 

the State of Florida. Nearly 21 percent were sold through 

the SunPass website, SunPass Service Center, and the 

Turnpike Service Plazas with the remaining 3 percent 

sold via other outlets. Customers can order a SunPass 

transponder over the Internet at www.SunPass.com or by 

calling 1-888-TOLL-FLA. 

Many rental car customers traveling on Florida’s toll 

roads are now able to utilize SunPass only lanes to pay 

their tolls, even without a SunPass transponder. In FY 

20 

Turnpike Toll Shirts 

Make History 

Florida’s Turnpike toll collectors are known for 

their festive, tropical shirts. In September, the 

Florida delegation to the Republican National 

Convention for the 2008 presidential campaign 

wore the colorful Turnpike toll shirts for a group 

photo. According to Party officials, the Smithsonian 

asked the delegation for one of the shirts for inclusion 

in an exhibit on the 2008 party conventions. 

2008, the Turnpike signed agreements with two private 

companies, American Traffic Solutions, Inc. and Rent- 

A-Toll, Ltd., to oversee a new program that uses license 

plate information to collect tolls electronically from 

rental cars. These service providers offer two choices to 

rental car customers using SunPass lanes: a nominal fee 

plus the cash toll rate per transaction or a flat daily rate 

for any and all toll use. In either option the Enterprise 

immediately collects the toll from the service provider. 

This program results in added customer convenience and 

will also assist in the transition to cashless operations for 

non-SunPass customers.

Transponder technology extends beyond paying for tolls 

electronically on Florida’s toll roads. The Turnpike has 

partnered with local governments and airports to provide 

SunPass customers the additional convenience of being 

able to pay for airport parking electronically with their 

existing SunPass transponder at some of Florida’s airports. 

Customers with transponders save time by utilizing 

SunPass lanes and do not need to worry about having 

cash on hand to pay for their parking when exiting the 

airport. The Orlando International Airport began offering 

this service several years ago and the Tampa International 

Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International 

Airport will be introducing SunPass at their parking 

lots and garages in FY 2009. Additionally, Palm Beach 

International Airport and Miami International Airport are 

looking to add this service to their parking program in the 

future. 

The Turnpike is also part of the statewide 511 system. 

By calling one number, 511, motorists everywhere in the 

V A L U E S 

INTEGRITY 

RESPECT 

COMMITMENT 

ONE FDOT 

TRUST 

CUSTOMER DRIVEN 

We always do what is right 

We value diversity, talent and ideas 

CUSTOMER-FOCUSED 

RESULTS-ORIENTED 

INNOVATIVE 

We do what we say we are going to do 

We are one agency, one team 

We are open and fair 

ENTREPRENEURIAL 

We listen to our customers 


state can find out about construction updates, lane closures, 

traffic incidents, severe weather reports and Amber 

Alerts for child abductions. Additional information and 

services are provided on the Florida 511 website at www. 

FL511.com, such as a real-time route planner with up-todate 

travel times, online congestion maps, and evacuation 

information. 

In July 2008, the Turkey Lake Service Plaza fueling facility 

became the first station in Central Florida to offer E85 to 

the motoring public. E85 is 

a blend of 85 percent ethanol 

and 15 percent gasoline 

and can be used in vehicles 

designated as Flex Fuel. The 

addition of E85 provides an 

alternative fuel choice to the driving public. E85 fuel will 

also be made available at the Port St. Lucie/Ft. Pierce and 

Pompano services plazas in FY 2009. 

We provide customers premium value in return for their toll in order to 

encourage continued and increased usage of our facilities. 

Our success requires productivity and leadership from motivated 

managers and staff, focused on our Mission. The cornerstone of our 

organization is performance management. 

We value innovation and look for ways to become better, faster and 

more cost effective. 

Our business is to help meet the transportation needs of Florida. We 

will take prudent risks to achieve our Mission. 

21


22 

Finance and planninG 

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Florida’s Turnpike is responsible for 

safeguarding the assets and financial position of the Enterprise and the protection 

of Turnpike bondholders. This is accomplished by sound financial 

planning, efficient cash and debt management, as well as accurate accounting 

and financial reporting. Within the Office of the CFO, the Financial 

Planning section monitors, develops, and manages financial policies, 

strategies, and innovative financing techniques which provide the necessary 

funding for operations and maintenance, renewal and replacement, and 

system improvements. The majority of long-term capital improvements 

undertaken by the Turnpike are funded with bond proceeds. 

The Turnpike’s new five-year improvement program is comprehensive in 

nature with funds reserved for safety, preservation, new capacity and access 

projects, as well as AET. 

In order to protect motorists from possible water hazards along the 

Mainline and the Sawgrass Expressway, the Turnpike will be installing 

additional cable barrier systems in Broward, Indian River, Lake, Martin, 

Osceola and Sumter counties over the next five years. It is estimated that a 

total of 137 miles of canal protection devices will be installed at a total cost 

of $31 million during FY 2009 and the upcoming five-year program. 

The cable barriers will be installed on the outside shoulders in locations 

where canals and other bodies of water run alongside Turnpike facilities. 

Incidents where vehicles become submersed in water when deviating from 

the roadway are expected to decrease significantly in the future. Additional 

canal-protection projects are scheduled beyond the five-year plan in 

Okeechobee and Orange Counties. 

Cable barriers along canals and bodies of water improve safety for 

Turnpike customers

Also in the program are $86 million of future commitments 

to preserve the existing system. Projects already 

specifically identified for FY 2009 through FY 2014 call 

for the resurfacing of 418 lane-miles. 

The combined current year capital budget and five-year 

Work Program include the following resurfacing projects: 

• 100 lane-miles of the HEFT in Miami-Dade and 

Broward Counties 

• 105 lane-miles of the Mainline in Miami-Dade and 

Broward Counties 

• 15 lane-miles of the Mainline in St. Lucie County 

• 21 lane-miles of the Mainline in Indian River 

County 

• 11 lane-miles of the Mainline in Osceola County 

• 18 lane-miles of the Mainline in Orange County 

418 lane-miles will be 

resurfaced over the 

next five years 

32 lane-miles 

80 lane-miles 

36 lane-miles 

• 

• 

• 

105 lane-miles 

100 lane-miles 


32 lane-miles of the Mainline in Lake County 

36 lane-miles of the Polk Parkway 

80 lane-miles of the Suncoast Parkway 

The investment in preservation during the upcoming 

period will ensure that Turnpike customers continue to 

drive on safe, well-maintained roads. 

A new SunPass only connection, the I-4 Connector, 

between Interstate 4 and the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown 

Expressway in Hillsborough County will provide an alternative 

route to/from downtown Tampa. The Department 

will provide most of the project funding with a Turnpike 

contribution of approximately $102 million. The 

Turnpike will provide AET services on the Connector. 

18 lane-miles 

11 lane-miles 

21 lane-miles 

15 lane-miles 

23


A significant investment will be made to widen the 

current Turnpike system. The combined current-year 

capital budget and five-year capital program provide $822 

million for widening of 196 lane-miles of the Turnpike 

System, 138 of those lane-miles in south Florida, as well 

as funding for design and right of way for future widening 

projects. The revenue projected on the Turnpike System 

will fund the debt service on the bond-funded portion of 

these improvements, and in turn, the additional capacity 

generated by these projects will provide for future growth 

in traffic and revenue. 

Also in the program are two new SunPass-only interchanges 

in Central Florida: Pace Road on the Polk 

Parkway and Lutz-Lake Fern Road on the Suncoast 

Parkway. During the same period, the Lake Worth Road 

interchange modification project in Palm Beach County 

is scheduled for construction. Coupled with design and 

right of way on future interchanges, these improvements 

totaling $150 million will provide customers with 

improved access to Turnpike facilities. 

With the addition of the new, more affordable SunPass 

Mini, the Turnpike is planning to migrate to AET on the 

HEFT in Miami-Dade County. AET is cashless highway 

speed electronic tolling, unlike ORT which includes 

24 

Construction of widening projects continues in 

South Florida 

traditional cash payment options. Over $148 million has 

been included in the five year program for conversion of 

the HEFT facility to AET. 

Rendering of planned AET on the HEFT 

Existing cash reserves, toll revenues, concessions, and 

bond proceeds will be used to fund the substantial 

capital improvement program the Turnpike will be 

undertaking. The Turnpike has bond sales planned for 

FY 2009 totaling approximately $437 million which 

will fund long-term capital improvements to the System. 

In FY 2007 the Turnpike’s legislative bond cap was 

increased to $10.0 billion under Section 338.2275 of 

the Florida Statutes. This legislation allows the Turnpike 

to continue to expand beyond the current five-year 

capital plan. At this time an additional $2.0 billion of 

bonds are planned to be sold through fiscal year 2014 to 

fund many of the planned expansion and improvement 

projects. These bonds will be issued in accordance with 

the Turnpike Bond Authorizing Resolution and Turnpike 

Debt Management Guidelines. 

The long-range financial planning model for the Turnpike 

includes numerous system improvements, customer 

safety and service enhancements, and the deployment 

of cutting-edge technology. The Office of the CFO has 

established a series of financial safeguards to provide 

assurance that future system improvements are adequately 

funded while maintaining appropriate cash reserves and 

conservative debt ratios.

economic condiTions 

and ouTloook 


The Turnpike generates its revenue primarily from toll transactions which are dependent 

on commuter traffic, tourism, trade, as well as other trips. For the first time in 

decades, the Turnpike experienced a decline in traffic and revenue in FY 2008 due 

primarily to a slowdown in the Florida economy. 

Traffic on Turnpike facilities is directly impacted by Florida’s population and employment 

level. Florida’s population is currently estimated at 18.8 million, roughly 

6 percent of the entire United States. Estimates of the Office of Economic and 

Demographic Research of the Florida Legislature put Florida’s population at approximately 

20 million by 2010. While the population in Florida continues to increase, it is 

growing at a slower pace than in prior years. Compared to 4.0 percent in the prior year, 

unemployment increased to an estimated 7.0 percent of the State’s workforce. This 

level exceeds the national estimate of 6.5 percent and is indicative of the challenges the 

State’s economy faces. 

Additionally, a sharp rise in the price of gasoline in FY 2008 has impacted the driving 

decisions of the public. Drivers are utilizing mass transit and car pools as well as 

consolidating trips to offset the increase in fuel costs. The price of gasoline in Florida 

escalated from $3 per gallon to over $4 during the year. 

Nationally, FY 2008 was marked by the continuing war on terrorism, conflict in 

Afghanistan and Iraq, and volatility in the housing and financial markets. Reflecting 

these events, Florida’s tourism industry has slowed. Florida’s tourism industry attracts 

people from around the world. With hundreds of miles of beaches, a tropical climate, 

and numerous attractions such as the Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studios, 

SeaWorld, and the Kennedy Space 

Center, tourists have many options 

to choose from. According to VISIT 

FLORIDA Research, a unit of the 

Florida Commission on Tourism, 

84.5 million people visited Florida 

during the year spending $65.5 

billion, essentially the same spending 

from the previous year. Travel 

to and from tourist destinations in 

Florida is facilitated by the Turnpike 

Mainline which serves the Miami 

to Orlando corridor, the Southern 

Connector Extension, Beachline 

West Expressway, and the Seminole 

Expressway which serve the Orlando 

area, and the Veterans Expressway 

which serves the Tampa area. 

25


Turnpike facilities play a key role in domestic and international 

trade by connecting to Interstates 4, 75, 95, 275, 

and 595, as well as being conveniently situated to serve 

three deep-water ports, four international airports, and 10 

general aviation airports. By monitoring the number of 

transactions generated by 3+ axle vehicles, the Turnpike 

can assess the overall level of business activity generated 

by commercial vehicles on Turnpike facilities. During FY 

2008, the number of such transactions was 36.5 million 

or 5.5% of total transactions on the System. 

CURRENT AND PROJECTED TOLL 

REVENUES 

The Turnpike System earned $635.6 million in toll 

revenues during FY 2008 representing a decrease of nearly 

4.3 percent from FY 2007 toll revenues of $663.9 million. 

This decrease is primarily due to a slowdown in the 

economy and rising gas prices which occurred during FY 

2008. 

FY 2009 toll revenues are expected to decrease to $623.3 

million, a decrease of approximately two percent from 

FY 2008. The Turnpike expects toll revenues to begin 

a slow and gradual recovery beginning in FY 2010. No 

additional revenues for rate increases or indexing of tolls 

are reflected in the current forecast. 

26 

The Turnpike System has conservatively estimated its toll 

and concession revenues in order to mitigate any impacts 

to the Work Program as a result of uncertain political and 

economic conditions. Additionally, the Turnpike System 

is geographically diverse serving a large part of the state 

with revenue generated from a varied customer base. 

CONCESSION REVENUES 

Eight service plazas along Florida’s Turnpike provide 

fuel, restrooms, food services, travel information, area 

attraction tickets, gifts and magazines, Florida Lottery 

tickets, SunPass transponders and vending machine items. 

HMS Host and Martin Petroleum provide the services, 

merchandise, and fuel at the service plazas. The Turnpike 

receives a portion of the revenues collected by the two 

service providers.

The service plazas are conveniently located on the 

Mainline at Snapper Creek (milepost 19), Pompano 

Beach (milepost 65), West Palm Beach (milepost 94), 

Fort Pierce (milepost 144), Fort Drum (milepost 184), 

Canoe Creek (milepost 229), Turkey Lake (milepost 263), 

and Okahumpka (milepost 299). Accordingly, Turnpike 

customers have access to food, fuel, and restrooms for the 

entire duration of their trip along the Turnpike Mainline. 

Each year the Turnpike surveys customers passing through 

the service plazas on quality of service, general appearance, 

and cleanliness of the restaurant buildings and 

fuel stations. Overall, 92 percent of customers rated the 

Turnpike service plazas as “good” during FY 2008, a slight 

increase from the FY 2007 score of 91 percent. This is the 

fifth consecutive year that the overall service plaza rating 

has increased. Keeping service plazas clean, aesthetically 

pleasing, and delivering excellent customer service translates 

into additional concession revenues. 

During FY 2008 HMS Host food and service concession 

sales totaled $49.8 million with $6.7 million accruing to 

the Turnpike. The portion of Martin Petroleum fuel sales 

allocable to the Turnpike totaled $2.3 million. Additional 

concession revenues were generated in FY 2008 from the 

Turnpike’s advertising program. The Turnpike has contracted 

with Travelers Marketing to provide advertising on 

toll booth windows, automatic coin machines, and coupons 

attached to toll receipts. In addition the Turnpike 

has an agreement with Florida Logos, Inc. to generate 

revenue through the leasing of space on sign structures 

at Turnpike exits for customer convenience in the categories 

of Gas, Food, Lodging, Pharmacies, Camping, 

and Attractions. Combined with a State Farm Insurance 

sponsorship of Road Ranger vehicles, advertising income 

totaled approximately $1.4 million for FY 2008. Total 

concession revenues during FY 2008 were $10.4 million. 

For FY 2009, concession revenues are estimated at $10.5 

million. The Turnpike will continue to seek new means of 

generating additional non-toll revenues through partnerships 

with the private sector. 

100% 

95% 

90% 

85% 

80% 


SERVICE PLAZA LOCATIONS 

Service Plazas 

Overall Rating of “Good” 

FY 2004 - FY 2008 

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 

27


28 

Financial inFormaTion 

TURNPIKE FUNDING STRUCTURE 

The Turnpike System is primarily self-funded with funds generated by tolls, 

concession (service plaza) receipts, advertising revenues, issuance of toll revenue 

bonds, and interest earned on required reserves and temporary cash balances. 

All bonds issued are revenue bonds that are backed by the revenues of the entire 

Turnpike System. The revenues and expenses of other facilities owned and/or 

operated by the Department (toll collection provided by the Enterprise) that 

are not part of the Turnpike System, are accounted for separately within the 

Department of Transportation’s accounting records. 

Safeguards 

To overcome the risks that are inherent in a program of the geographic size and 

financial magnitude of Florida’s Turnpike System, a number of program safeguards 

have been implemented. The major safeguards are financial, statutory, and 

operational. 

Financial safeguards protect the bondholders and the customers of the Turnpike 

System. They ensure that the System will maintain sufficient revenues to honor 

program commitments, that funds are expended on authorized projects only, and 

that there are sufficient reserves to protect against a significant increase in either 

program costs, or a downturn in estimated revenues. These safeguards include 

debt service coverage ratio targets, a 36-month cash forecast, a five-year capital 

improvement plan, a 10-year financial plan, and an annual independent audit. 

Additionally, Florida Statutes require that, prior to construction, a proposed 

expansion project must meet tests of environmental and economic feasibility. 

Also, the statutes protect the System from the diversion of its revenues for non- 

System purposes. 

9 

9 

9 

9 

9 

Financial Safeguards 

Debt service coverage ratio targets 

36-month cash forecast 

Five-year capital improvement plan 

10-year financial plan 

Annual independent audit

Within the operational side of the Turnpike System are 

several additional safeguards such as: (1) effective program 

management with priorities that complement those of 

the Department; (2) a nationally recognized Traffic and 

Revenue Consultant, responsible for estimating traffic and 

revenues on planned projects, and (3) nationally recognized 

General Consultants, responsible for certifying the 

costs and schedules for major improvement and expansion 

projects. 

System of Internal Controls 

Management is also responsible for establishing and 

maintaining a system of internal controls. In fulfilling this 

responsibility, estimates and judgments by management 

are required to assess the expected benefits and related 

costs of internal control policies and procedures. 

Turnpike management believes that the internal control 

system, including current and planned enhancements, 

is such that if errors or fraud of a material nature do 

occur, they will be detected within a timely period by 

Department employees in the normal course of performing 

their assigned functions. 

Debt Issuance 

When bonding for new construction, the Turnpike 

System pledges revenues from its existing system in addition 

to those revenues projected for the new project. Since 

opening to traffic, the Turnpike System has generated 

enough revenue to con- 

struct improvements and 

extensions, to properly 

operate and maintain 

the System, and provide 

for debt service. At June 

30, 2008, $2.5 billion in 

Turnpike System Bonds 

were outstanding. The 

$10.0B 

$2.5B 

Authorized 

bond cap 

Bonds 

outstanding 


Turnpike System is authorized to have up to $10.0 billion 

of outstanding revenue bonds to fund approved projects. 

At this time an additional $2.0 billion of bonds are 

planned to be sold through FY 2014 to fund many of 

the expansion and improvement projects previously 

discussed. These bonds will be issued in accordance with 

the Turnpike Bond Authorizing Resolution and Turnpike 

Debt Management Guidelines. 

Debt Administration 

The Florida State Board of Administration (SBA) serves as 

trustee and administers all debt service funds for all state 

bonds issued pursuant to the Florida “State Bond Act,” 

except as otherwise provided therein. The SBA is composed 

of the Governor as Chairman, the Attorney General 

and the Chief Financial Officer. Revenues of the Turnpike 

System are initially transmitted to the SBA, which provides 

for payment of operations and maintenance costs as 

well as interest and principal on outstanding bonds. It is 

the duty of the SBA to determine and approve the fiscal 

and legal sufficiency of proposed state bond issues and 

approve the issuance of bonds at interest rates in excess of 

the legal limits as prescribed by Section 215.84, Florida 

Statutes. 

Cash Management 

The Turnpike System’s deposit and investment practices 

are governed by Chapter 280, Florida Statutes, and various 

legal covenants related to the outstanding bond issues. 

In addition, the System has adopted GASB Statement No. 

40, Deposit and Investment Risk Disclosures – an amendment 

of GASB Statement No. 3, which recognizes that 

deposits and investments of state and local governments 

are exposed to risks that have the potential to result in 

losses. 

29


Cash temporarily idle during the year is invested in 

repurchase agreements and US Treasury bills and notes 

through the SBA. Investments held by the SBA are 

entirely collateralized and insured by the state. The 

System relies on the controls and safeguards provided 

by Section 215.47, Florida Statutes, to address its 

investment risk with the SBA. 

The Turnpike System also invests monies in the State 

Treasury Investment Pool. Such investments are not 

evidenced by securities that exist in physical or book 

entry form. The System relies on the controls and safeguards 

provided by Section 17.57, Florida Statutes, to 

address its investment risk in the State’s uncategorized 

general pool. 

Risk Management 

The Turnpike System has obtained comprehensive 

insurance coverage from a combination of the 

Florida Property Insurance Trust Fund (Fire Fund) 

and the Department’s Insurance Program. Primary 

insurance with the Fire Fund is provided through the 

Florida Department of Financial Services, Bureau of 

Property, Financial and Risk Services self-insurance 

program which is offered to all state agencies and 

includes a private coinsurance rider to protect the 

Fire Fund against loss from major perils. Insurance 

under the Fire Fund is provided to cover physical loss 

to buildings and contents as a result of fire, flood, 

lightning, windstorm or hail, explosion and smoke. 

The Fire Fund provides a lower deductible than is 

provided with the Department’s Bridge and Turnpike 

Insurance Program. 

Additional insurance with the Department’s Bridge, 

Property and Business Income Insurance Program is 

provided by a Florida Department of Management 

Services’ state contract with insurance brokers that 

defines perils, hazards, and coverage of several toll 

30 

road systems in Florida. Coverage is extended to major 

bridges, overpasses and underpasses, and business use and 

occupancy on system operations. 

As a component of the Department, the Turnpike System 

participates in the State’s Florida Casualty Insurance 

Trust Fund which provides insurance for state employee 

workers’ compensation, general liability, fleet automotive 

liability, federal civil rights actions, employer’s liability, 

and court-awarded attorney’s fees. In addition, employees 

are covered by the State’s Employee Health Insurance 

Fund. 

The Turnpike System’s comprehensive insurance coverage 

complies with coverage recommended by the General 

Consultant and covenants with bondholders.

oTher inFormaTion 

Certificate of Achievement 

The Government Finance Officers 

Association of the United States 

and Canada (GFOA) awarded a 

Certificate of Achievement for 

Excellence in Financial Reporting 

to Florida’s Turnpike System 

for its Comprehensive Annual 

Financial Report for the fiscal 

year ended June 30, 2007. This 

was the sixteenth consecutive year 

that Florida’s Turnpike System has 

achieved this prestigious award. In 

order to be awarded a Certificate 

of Achievement, a government 

must publish an easily readable and 

efficiently organized Comprehensive 

Annual Financial Report. This report 

must satisfy both generally accepted 

accounting principles and applicable 

legal requirements. 

A Certificate of Achievement 

is valid for a period of one year 

only. We believe that our current 

Comprehensive Annual Financial 

Report continues to meet the Certificate of Achievement Program’s requirements, 

and we are submitting it to the GFOA to determine its eligibility for another 

certificate. 

Independent Auditors 


The financial operations of the Turnpike System are independently audited on 

an annual basis by the nationally recognized certified public accounting firm, 

Deloitte & Touche LLP. Operations are also subject to financial, compliance, 

and operational audits conducted by the Florida Auditor General and the 

Department’s Inspector General. 

31


Primary Consultants 

The Turnpike System employs the services of 

seven nationally recognized consulting firms. URS 

Corporation is the Traffic and Revenue Consultant; 

PBS&J, Inc. and HNTB Corporation are the General 

Consultants; Parsons Brinckerhoff is the Construction 

Engineering Management Consultant; Jacobs Civil, 

Inc. is the Maintenance Engineering Management 

Consultant; TransCore is the Intelligent Transportation 

Systems Consultant; and KPMG, LLP is the Business 

Development / Marketing / Customer Service / Public 

Relations Consultant. 

32 

Acknowledgments 

The preparation of the Comprehensive Annual 

Financial Report could not have been accomplished 

without the efforts and dedication of the staff of the 

Turnpike Enterprise and the Department’s Office of 

the Comptroller. In addition, we would like to express 

appreciation to the Secretary and Assistant Secretaries for 

their interest and support in planning and conducting the 

financial operations of the Turnpike System.

Florida's Turnpike System

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