Why aren't The Toll Roads freeways?
Originally The Toll Roads were planned to be freeways but traditional state or federal funding was not available. With projections of new housing development and an influx of population in the area, the need for new roads was critical. Instead of waiting for state or federal funding, Orange County leaders decided in the early 1980s to look at alternative ways to fund road construction.

In 1986, the state legislature authorized the creation of the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) to collect tolls to finance, design, build, and operate the roads. TCA was authorized to issue non-recourse bonds that could be sold to private investors, and to collect tolls to repay the bond debt. Without this innovative financing plan, the roads would not have been built and existing roads would carry the burden of additional traffic.

How many people use The Toll Roads?
About 300,000 trips are taken on The Toll Roads each weekday. In FY 2008, more than 95 million toll transactions were recorded.

Wouldn't there be more traffic if the toll rates were lowered?
The toll rates are set to ensure that the revenue needed to make bond payments is collected and that traffic continues to be free flowing on The Toll Roads. More people would likely drive the roads if the tolls were lower, but traffic would have to increase at a much higher rate to make up for the lost revenue. The increased number of cars would limit the roads' capacity and slow traffic to a point that people who choose The Toll Roads wouldn't get what they're paying for - a congestion-free drive that saves time.

When did The Toll Roads open?
The roads opened in phases between Oct. 1993 and Feb. 1999.

The first 3.2-mile segment of the Foothill (SR-241) Toll Road opened in Oct. 1993, and a second 3.2-mile extension between Antonio Parkway and Oso Parkway opened in 1999.

The completed San Joaquin Hills (SR-73) Toll Road opened in Nov. 1996.

The 24-mile Eastern Toll Road opened in 1998, 14 months ahead of schedule and under budget. The west leg of the Eastern (SR-261) Toll Road opened in 1999.

How much did the toll roads cost to build?
San Joaquin Hills (73) Toll Road -- $800 million
Foothill/Eastern (241/133/261) Toll Road -- $965 million

Who oversees the TCA?
The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) is made up of two public agencies -- the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency, which oversees the San Joaquin Hills (SR-73) Toll Road, and the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency, which oversees the Foothill (SR-241) and Eastern (SR-241, SR-261, and SR-133) Toll Roads. Each Agency is governed by a Board of Directors made up of elected officials from cities and county districts that are adjacent to the toll roads. Directors are appointed to the TCA Board by their respective cities.

Why are there two Boards of Directors?
The Transportation Corridor Agencies is actually two distinct governmental entities -- the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency, which oversees the San Joaquin Hills (SR-73) Toll Road, and the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency, which oversees the Foothill (SR-241) and Eastern (SR-241, SR-261, and SR-133) Toll Roads.

Each agency is a separate, independent authority. Funds are separate for each agency and one staff of about 85 people serves both Agencies.

Is TCA a private, for-profit company?
No. TCA are two public agencies governed by local elected officials representing cities and county Supervisorial districts. The money collected at the tolls is primarily used to repay the bonds that were issued to build the roads. These bonds were sold to private investors, and state and local taxpayers are not liable for any debt payments.

What is the difference between TCA's toll roads and the 91 Express Lanes?
The Toll Roads (SR-73, SR-241, SR-261, and SR-133) were planned, financed, built, and are operated by TCA, two non-profit public agencies. TCA operates the toll-collection system, but Caltrans maintains and owns The Toll Roads. Until recently, the California Private Transportation Corporation, a private company, operated the 91 Express Lanes, a 10-mile tollway located in the median of the 91 Freeway between Anaheim and the Orange/Riverside County border. Now, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), a public agency, operates the 91 Express Lanes.

Are the taxpayers responsible if The Toll Roads fail?
No. The majority of funding comes from non-recourse toll revenue bonds. These bonds are backed by future toll revenue, not by the state or any local government, thus state and local taxpayers have no responsibility to repay the bonds. In fact, The Toll Roads were one of the first major transportation facilities in the nation to be financed with zero federal dollars and very little state revenue.

What is TCA's budget for fiscal year 2009?
San Joaquin Hills TCA: $139.5 million. Foothill/Eastern TCA: $284.9 million.

Total projected FY2009 revenue for both agencies is $294 million.

What is the development impact fee program?
Whenever a building permit is issued for new development within an established area of benefit, a one-time fee is collected. These development impact fees are collected on both residential and non-residential development and are computed using rates established by the TCA's Boards of Directors. The cities and counties in the areas of benefit are responsible for administering the fee program within their respective jurisdictions.

What is TCA's relationship with Caltrans?
TCA planned, financed, and built The Toll Roads and currently operates the toll-collection system. Because The Toll Roads are part of the state highway system, Caltrans owns and maintains The Toll Roads. The Toll Roads were designed and constructed to the standards and specifications of Caltrans.

More questions? Check commonly asked questions about using The Toll Roads.