As Triangle toll road revenue beats expectation, prices still rise
Over the past four years, the DOT projected the Triangle Expressway would bring in about $77 million, while the actual revenue resulted in $95 million dollars. With this data, drivers will pay 3.5 percent more this year.
Posted — UpdatedWhen the first section of the Triangle Expressway opened in 2011, it was the state's first toll road. It now runs from RTP all the way through western Wake County, connecting with Holly Springs.
Five years after the Triangle's first toll road opened, the state has said it's a big success.
“It's been pretty steady growth as people get used to it,” Abbott said. “(Prices) are going up, because costs go up.”
Over the past four years, the DOT projected the Triangle Expressway would bring in about $77 million, while the actual revenue resulted in $95 million dollars. With this data, drivers will pay 3.5 percent more this year.
Abbott said the annual hikes pay back the bonds sold to fund the $1 billion road. It's also helping to pay for two new interchanges, one that will opens later this year between Holly Springs and Apex. One between U-S 1 and the NC-55 Bypass in Holly Springs should open in the coming months. Another interchange at Morrisville Parkway will open in 2019.
Bridges says he doesn't like paying more, but he can't wait in rush hour traffic.
“I have a child in daycare, so I have to be at his daycare by 5:30, so I have to be on the tolls,” Bridges said.
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