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Does E-ZPass work on the Sanibel causeway?

The Sanibel causeway is a popular destination for travelers in Florida, offering beautiful views of the Gulf of Mexico and access to the island of Sanibel. If you’re planning a trip to the causeway, you may be wondering about the availability of electronic toll payment options, such as E-ZPass. In this article, we’ll explore whether E-ZPass is accepted on the Sanibel causeway and provide information on other toll payment options.

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Does E-ZPass Work on the Sanibel Causeway?

The Sanibel causeway is a toll road connecting Fort Myers’s mainland to the island of Sanibel in Florida. It is owned and operated by Lee County, which has its own toll system called Lee Way. While E-ZPass is not accepted on the Sanibel causeway, drivers can pay their tolls electronically using Lee Way.

Lee Way is an electronic toll collection system that is similar to E-ZPass. It allows drivers to pay their tolls electronically by attaching a transponder to their vehicle’s windshield. The transponder communicates with sensors at the toll plaza to automatically deduct the toll amount from the driver’s Lee Way account.

To use Lee Way on the Sanibel causeway, drivers must first open a Lee Way account and purchase a transponder. The transponder can be purchased online or at a Lee Way customer service center in Fort Myers or Sanibel. There is a one-time activation fee of $25 for the transponder, and drivers must maintain a minimum balance of $10 in their Lee Way account at all times.

Other Toll Payment Options on the Sanibel Causeway

In addition to Lee Way, drivers have several other options for paying their tolls on the Sanibel causeway:

  1. Cash: Drivers can still pay their tolls in cash at the toll plaza. Exact change is required, as the toll attendants do not provide change.
  2. Credit card: Drivers can also pay their tolls with a credit card at the toll plaza. However, it’s important to note that there is a $1.50 surcharge for using a credit card to pay the toll.
  3. SunPass: SunPass is another electronic toll collection system accepted on the Sanibel causeway. It is used throughout Florida and parts of Georgia, North Carolina, and Puerto Rico. To use SunPass on the Sanibel causeway, drivers must first open a SunPass account and purchase a transponder. The transponder can be purchased online or at a SunPass retailer, such as a participating CVS or Walgreens.
  4. TOLL-BY-PLATE: If you don’t have a transponder or prefer not to use one, you can also pay your tolls on the Sanibel causeway using TOLL-BY-PLATE. This option involves using a camera to capture your vehicle’s license plate as it passes through the toll plaza. The toll amount will be mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner within 30 days, along with a $2.50 administrative fee.

It’s important to note that if you choose TOLL-BY-PLATE, you may end up paying more in tolls than if you had used one of the other payment options. This is because TOLL-BY-PLATE charges a higher rate than the standard toll rate.

Conclusion

While E-ZPass is not accepted on the Sanibel causeway, drivers have several other options for paying their tolls electronically, including Lee Way, SunPass, and TOLL-BY-PLATE. Each of these options has its fees and requirements, so it’s important to consider which one is the most convenient and cost-effective for your needs. Whether you prefer the convenience of electronic toll payment or the simplicity of paying in cash, a toll payment option is available on the Sanibel causeway.