Out with the corrupt Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority: Scott signs CFX bill

Gov. Rick Scott on Friday, signed the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) bill, creating a regional transportation agency and eliminating the much troubled Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority. With immediate effect, CFX takes over the existing Orlando-Orange County authority, including E-PASS and incorporates representation from Lake, Osceola, and Seminole counties into a larger, regional tolling authority.

CFX is responsible for the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of a 109-mile limited-access expressway system serving the four county jurisdictions.

Following the signing of Senate Bill 230, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs said in a statement:

“This is a great day for Central Florida. I want to commend Governor Rick Scott, Senate-President Elect Andy Gardiner and Senator David Simmons for working tirelessly to build a coalition of local and state leaders to move this crucial piece of legislation forward. Under this new structure, we will have the opportunity to create a board with a majority of elected officials, able to oversee toll collections and roadway operations while also providing direct accountability to our citizens. I’m also extremely proud that the bill signed into law follows Orange County’s lead by embracing stringent ethics requirements, similar to what the county first adopted in 2008.”

CFX also takes over the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority customer service and management of E-PASS, the electronic toll collection system with more than 500,000 Central Florida customers.

Osceola County Expressway Authority will manage its current road projects through 2018 or until certain financial milestones are met before joining the regional authority.

A nine-member board will manage CFX, with representatives from each of the four counties along with the Mayor of Orange County, the Mayor of Orlando and three gubernatorial appointees. The first meeting of the new CFX board will meet in the month of July. Meeting information will be posted on ExpresswayAuthority.com.

Several of Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority board members have been under investigation for months, with board member, Scott Batterson indicted on bribery charges and soliciting unlawful compensation by a public official, in April.