Big changes are ahead for drivers who use the Veterans Expressway.
Starting at 9 p.m. Friday, the option to pay cash at the Anderson mainline toll plaza will shut down for good. It's the latest phase in a plan to convert the Florida Turnpike's system to an all-electronic toll collection.
Crews are expected to work through the rest of the day to decommission the existing toll booths. It's part of a $380-million project to widen the Veterans Expressway, which will be the first major construction project since it opened in October 1994.
From now on, drivers will have to use a Sunpass to go through the toll. SunPasses can be purchased at grocery stores and convenience stores throughout Florida.
The other option is to use toll-by-plate, where the system takes a picture of license plates as the cars pass, then mails a bill to the driver. Drivers who use this option will be charged an additional $2.50 for that service.
The toll booths at Sugarwood, Hutchison Road and Gunn Highway are set to be shut down next. Those closures are scheduled to happen sometime in July.
Ramps at Wilsky Boulevard and Anderson Road are currently under construction, and they are expected to reopen by this fall.
For more information visit www.FloridasTurnpike.com.