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DeSoto Park, St. Pete Beach Tolls Are Meeting Topic

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By RICH SHOPES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 12, 2008

People who love Fort DeSoto Park and St. Pete Beach will have a chance to weigh in tonight on a plan to raise tolls they pay to reach them.

State officials are considering increasing the tolls at the bridges leading to the park and at the two plazas nearby to pay for renovations at two bridges.

Tolls at the east and west plazas on the Pinellas Bayway would increase from 50 cents to $1.25 ($1 for SunPass users). Tolls for the south plaza leading to Fort DeSoto Park would go from 35 cents to $2.50 ($2 for SunPass users). Annual passes would increase from $50 to $125.

The increases would begin in 2009, but the decision isn't final. The Department of Transportation will hear public input from 6 to 8 tonight at St. Pete Beach Community Center, 7701 Boca Ciega Drive.

The increases would pay for renovations at the two drawbridges – one on State Road 682 leading to St. Pete Beach and the other on Stare Road 679 to Tierra Verde. Both are about 45 years old.

The renovations, set for 2012, are expected to cost $41 million.

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