Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Florida

Huh? After Bailing Out Toll Road, Florida Wants to Expand It

Tampa's Suncoast 2 toll road is an assured financial loser. But that hasn't stopped the state from promoting it. Map: Suncoast2online.com
Tampa's Suncoast 2 toll road is guaranteed to be a financial loser. But that hasn't stopped the state from plowing ahead. Map: Suncoast2online.com
Tampa's Suncoast 2 toll road is an assured financial loser. But that hasn't stopped the state from promoting it. Map: Suncoast2online.com

By any reasonable measure, the Suncoast Parkway in the Tampa Bay Area has been a complete failure.

When it was first proposed, in 1992, consultants predicted the $507 million, 42-mile toll road from Hillsborough to Hernando County would fill up with cars -- thanks to the sprawl everyone was sure would follow it. Consultants originally forecast $150 million in annual toll revenue.

Since then, according to an excellent summary from Tampa Times reporter Craig Pittman, that forecast was downgraded -- twice. But the highway still didn't meet the revised projections. In 2014, the road brought in just $22 million in tolls. Today the state of Florida heavily subsidizes the Suncoast Parkway with funds from other toll roads, Pittman reports.

But if you think that's going to stop the state of Florida from expanding the highway 13 miles further into rural lands -- including a national forest -- think again.

"Suncoast 2" is "moving ahead," Pittman reports, despite strong public opposition. Governor Rick Scott himself -- who couldn't tolerate the thought of cost overruns for high-speed rail -- has teed up $150 million for the $257 million expansion project. Suncoast 2 is expected to generate just $3.8 in tolls in 2020 and only $14 million in 2049.

The project is set to break ground this year, the Times reports, and open in 2019.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Wednesday’s Headlines Stick With What Works

Forget robotaxis. Just make the bus come frequently and on time.

July 16, 2025

Can Colleges Do A Better Job of Fighting Car Dependency?

"How great would it be if kids graduated without the assumption that they must be completely dependent on a personal automobile?"

July 16, 2025

Commentary: The French City of Lyon Shows How to Connect Communities Without Cars

An amazing 24/7 bike-ped-transit connection can be made for pennies on the dollar.

July 15, 2025

America’s Kids Deserve Better Than a Waymo Subscription

What do America's young people lose when they have to buy independence from a corporation that rents out driverless cars?

July 15, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines Aren’t Falling Fast Enough

Pedestrian deaths dropped by 4 percent last year, but remain well above pre-pandemic figures.

July 15, 2025

Advocates Fight To Prevent 40% Transit Service Cuts in Illinois

Public transit riders, workers, and advocates showed up in force for Saturday's Save Transit Rally at Daley Plaza, calling on state lawmakers to pass a bill to address Chicagoland's looming $771 million fiscal cliff.

July 14, 2025
See all posts