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A bill paving the way for more toll roads in Florida is awaiting the governor’s decision. As Whitney Ray tells us, House Bill 599 would allow the Florida Department of Transportation to put a toll booth on every new bridge.

Eric Larson would rather be driving his truck. Instead he’s cramming his 6’2 frame into a mini-cooper.

“Diesel is always way more expensive so it actually saves me 70 dollars a week,” said Eric.

More Floridians are buying fuel efficient cars and driving less. The trend is costing the state billions in gas tax dollars which are used to build and repair roads. By 2020 it’s expected to cost the state five billion dollars.

“Faced with that we are trying to figure out alternative revenues,” said Matt Ubben.

Ubben is the President of Floridians for Better Transportation and says toll roads can help make up for the gas tax losses.

“When you ride on a road, we feel like you ought to pay for that privilege,” said Ubben.

A bill to allow the state to place toll booths on new bridges is on the governor’s desk.

But with gas here in Florida quickly approaching the four dollar a gallon mark, some drivers say the timing of the toll road bill is terrible.

Mandy Sims carpools to save money. She says drivers are being pushed to the limit.

“We are already having to pay so much to go somewhere and then you’re getting stopped by a toll too to have to pay, you are going to get a lot of pissed off people,” said Sims.

But other drivers filling up Monday say they’re fine with toll booths on new roads.

“If I’m going down I-10 and all of a sudden I have to stop and pay a toll, that I’ve got a problem with, but if it’s all for new construction, I’ve got no problem with that,” said Eric.

“Drivers want better roads. That’s what drivers want,” said Reverend Joseph Jackson.

The Governor has until April 28th to sign or veto the bill. The Department of Transportation is also considering building more toll lanes on existing roads with high traffic volumes to clear congestion.