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County Administrator's Report 10. 1.

BCC Regular Meeting

Discussion

Meeting Date:	11/03/2016
Issue: Bob Sikes Bridge Toll Plaza - All Electronic Tolling
From:	Joy D. Blackmon, P.E.
Department:	Public Works
CAO Approval:

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommendation Concerning the Request to Convert the Bob Sikes Bridge Toll Plaza to the All Electronic Tolling Format - Joy D. Blackmon, P.E., Public Works Department Director

That the Board give formal direction to County staff to begin the process of fully converting the Bob Sikes Bridge (BSB) Toll Plaza to the All Electronic Tolling (AET) format.

[Funding source: Funds would be paid out of the BSB Toll Facility Maintenance Fund]

BACKGROUND:

Escambia County Public Works recently deployed the SunPass System at the BSB Toll Plaza, which allows for the public to pay for toll passage via electronic means and/or cash. The SunPass System roll-out occurred in May 2016, and since the roll-out, SunPass sales and activations have increased greatly within the Escambia and Santa Rosa County areas. The conversion from the current electronic and/or cash configuration to AET would eliminate all cash transactions.

Prior to expending any county funds on the AET conversion, Public Works staff is seeking formal direction from the Board as to whether staff should begin the process of AET or should retain the current configuration.

If the Board directs staff to begin the conversion process to AET, the existing Agreement with Florida's Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) would need to be modified. A modified Agreement would be drafted and provided to the Board for review and approval as soon as available. Also, it is expected that only 2 toll booth lanes will be needed to accommodate the traffic flow if cash transactions were to be removed, rather than the current 4 lane configuration. The other two lanes would remain, and could be used as needed.

Although the current SunPass System is set up to be converted to AET without any additional equipment, or at minimum minor equipment, a strong marketing campaign notifying the public of the conversion and modifying the existing pavement markings, roadway and plaza signage is necessary and will need to be funded appropriately. The anticipated cost to adequately market and modify the striping and signage is expected to cost around $50,000.

BUDGETARY IMPACT:

The anticipated cost to adequately market the AET and to modify the striping and signage is expected to cost around $50,000. Funds would be paid out of the Bob Sikes Bridge Toll Facility Maintenance Fund.

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF:

N/A

PERSONNEL:

N/A

POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION:

N/A

IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION:

If Board direction is to fully convert the system to AET, Public Works staff will coordinate with Florida's Turnpike Enterprise during the conversion.

Attachments
No file(s) attached.