From Tolls to Toll-Free: The Evolution of the Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys

The history of toll booths on the Overseas Highway, which stretches from Key Largo to Key West, reflects the broader development of transportation in the Florida Keys and the move toward toll-free travel.

1. Initial Tolls and Road Funding: The Overseas Highway opened in 1938, following the route of Henry Flagler’s Key West Extension of the Florida East Coast Railway, which had been severely damaged in the 1935 Labor Day hurricane. The highway incorporated repurposed bridges and railway sections, but the reconstruction and maintenance costs led to tolls being imposed at certain sections. The revenue from these tolls was essential to maintaining the highway, especially as its infrastructure was expensive to keep up in the saltwater-heavy environment of the Keys.
2. Toll Booths in Islamorada and Knight’s Key: Tolls were initially placed at locations including Islamorada and Knight’s Key near Marathon. These toll booths collected fees from drivers to support the maintenance and ongoing improvements of the roadway. However, by the 1950s, the state began re-evaluating the need for tolls as tourism to the Keys increased and the road became more critical to the local economy and lifestyle.
3. Shift Toward Toll-Free Access: By 1954, growing public demand for a toll-free highway led to the abolition of tolls on the Overseas Highway. The state of Florida, realizing the economic benefits of free access for tourists and locals alike, found alternative funding to support the maintenance of the highway. Removing tolls also made travel between the islands more accessible, promoting both tourism and regional development.
4. Modern Infrastructure Developments: In the early 1980s, a major overhaul known as the “Overseas Highway and Bridges Project” replaced several of the original bridges, including the famous Seven Mile Bridge. With federal funding support, these improvements were completed without reinstating tolls, allowing the highway to remain free to the public.

Today, the Overseas Highway remains toll-free, providing uninterrupted access through the beautiful Florida Keys. The highway is a lifeline for residents and a scenic route for visitors, preserving its legacy as an essential, toll-free pathway to the islands.