FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Chris Swenson, Lee DOT, (239) 573-7960, or
               Margie Byers, Lee DOT, (239) 573-7960

BUSINESSES INPUT SOUGHT ON TRANSPORTATION SURVEY

FORT MYERS, FL, (July 22, 2004) - Transportation surveys were recently mailed by the Lee County Department of Transportation to businesses having vehicles equipped with three-or-more axles. The surveys are intended to obtain feedback from those companies whose larger vehicles can now utilize LeeWay's Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system and the Variable Pricing program. As an incentive to the businesses that received the survey, ten businesses will randomly be selected from the returned surveys, to receive $100 each for completing and returning the surveys by the deadline of July 29, 2004.

The surveys are part of the data collection efforts of the Heavy Vehicle Study being conducted by Lee County to determine the response to Variable Pricing and characteristics of trips occurring by 3+ axle vehicles on the toll bridges. To enter, the survey must be completed and postmarked on or before July 29, 2004

LeeWay's Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) and Variable Pricing both of which are now offered to 3+ axle vehicles began December 1, 2003. The LeeWay system is a way to pay tolls electronically and eliminates the need for truck tickets or cash. Variable Pricing offers half price tolls to vehicles equipped with ETC capability when they use the Cape Coral and Midpoint bridges (Sanibel does not currently have Variable Pricing) during the discounted Variable Pricing hours. The Electronic Toll Collection system automatically discounts those trips by 50 percent. Multi-axle vehicles are still required to use the attended lanes on all bridges.

Variable Pricing had previously only been available to two-axle vehicles, but a $1.2 million grant received from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has made it possible for Lee County to make the necessary changes to allow multi-axle (3 or more axles) vehicles to participate in this successful program. For additional information or questions on the survey call 239-573-7960.