TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Gov. Ron DeSantis said he has directed the Florida Department of Transportation to waive tolls beginning early Tuesday morning for some counties expected to be impacted by Idalia.
Beginning at 4 a.m. Tuesday, there will be no tolls in Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lake, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sumter counties, DeSantis said. You can find out if you need to evacuate by clicking here.
DeSantis also said the state’s National Guard has been activated to assist. Toll collections will be suspended for seven days and will be reinstated on Tuesday, Sept. 5, at noon.
DeSantis urged Floridians to be prepared to be without power, and crews have been staged to begin restoring power as soon as the storm has passed.
“At my direction, tolls will be suspended throughout the impacted area,” Gov. DeSantis said. “Anyone who receives an evacuation order needs to make plans to go to a safe area now. You do not need to leave the state— travel tens of miles, not hundreds of miles. By waiving tolls, we are easing the burden on families in the path of this storm.”
Facilities included within the suspension are:
Hillsborough County
- I-4 Connector
- Selmon Expressway (S.R. 618)
- Veterans Expressway (S.R. 589)
- Suncoast Parkway (S.R. 589)
Citrus, Hernando and Pasco Counties
- Suncoast Parkway (S.R. 589)
Lake and Sumter Counties and Portions of Orange County
- Turnpike Mainline (I-75 to I-4)
Pinellas County
- Pinellas Bayway (S.R. 679)
- Sunshine Skyway Bridge (U.S. 19)
Watch WFLA Now’s 24/7 coverage to stay up-to-date on Idalia. Get the latest on closings and weather conditions in your area on our Tracking the Tropics page.
