Letter from Bridge Authority to the community regarding parking
BY KATHY BANSON, GIBA
Editor’s Note: This letter was sent from the executive director of the Bridge Authority. The Beacon took statistics from the authority’s letter to create the graphic above.
The intent of this letter is to assist the Boca Grande Parking Committee by providing information regarding the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority’s (GIBA) mission, history, traffic patterns, and toll passes.
Mission
GIBA’s exclusive mission is to maintain safe and efficient traffic flow at all times through the Toll Booths, along the causeway and along the Intracoastal Waterway.
History
Since the parking ordinance was enacted in August 2025, GIBA has received questions from the public regarding causeway ownership, island traffic control, and parking restrictions. GIBA Staff continues to inform the public that GIBA is an independent entity and has no oversight or control over island events and parking. There have also been some questions raised from parking panel committee members regarding GIBA’s role in relation to parking enforcement and education.
Concerned citizens worked with the State of Florida to establish an entity to purchase and maintain the bridge and causeway system serving Boca Grande. In 1996 the Florida Legislature created an independent special district of the state of Florida named the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority with the responsibility to purchase, operate, and maintain the causeway system. Tolls are collected and revenues are used to support maintenance, operations, and infrastructure improvements to ensure the causeway remains a safe and dependable transportation link.
GIBA’s responsibility covers the 2.3 miles of causeway, including bridges, beginning at the Placida Road traffic light and continuing onto Boca Grande to the start of the Charlotte County portion of Gasparilla Road. All toll revenues are dedicated exclusively to maintaining and improving this critical transportation link.
GIBA is an independent special district of the state of Florida and must abide by all Florida State Ethics and Sunshine laws.
Traffic Patterns
GIBA documents daily traffic counts and patterns. Over the past 7 years, fluctuations in traffic numbers have been a direct result of extenuating circumstances such as COVID beach closures, multiple hurricanes and the parking ordinance. The chart below shows monthly traffic counts from January 2020 through April 2026.
Toll Passes
GIBA offers toll pass options for frequent causeway travelers with no residency restrictions. The only requirement is that trips must be used within one year of the date of purchase. Passes are purchased by full and part time Florida residents, island businesses, service providers, and other island visitors. As of May 19, 2026, GIBA has approximately 20,000 active toll passes. A very small percentage (less than 500) are unlimited annual passes normally purchased by private companies doing business on Boca Grande.
Recent Questions
Can GIBA stop vehicles from going to Boca Grande when all parking spots have been utilized?
No, GIBA’s mission is to provide safe and efficient access across the causeway. Denying public access to Boca Grande would be contradictory to GIBA’s mission.
Can GIBA assist with parking enforcement education via a handout or QR scan code at the toll plaza?
No, GIBA’s mission is to provide safe and efficient access across the causeway. Many toll pass customers prefer the limited human interaction of the automated self-scan lane which has been used by 231,000 vehicles since January 1, 2026. Assisting people in any of the lanes with QR code scanning or verbally educating people on parking restrictions may be contrary to our mission of safe and efficient traffic flow.
Has daily traffic decreased?
Yes, daily traffic has decreased 8% since January 1, 2026. The toll plaza monthly traffic counts may not be a reliable representation of the decrease in island business revenue since our traffic totals include island related service companies who may or may not be frequenting island businesses.
Does GIBA allow parking along the causeway?
No, the causeway is the only critical link from the mainland to Boca Grande. Maintaining the integrity and stability of the property is an essential component of GIBA’s mission. Allowing parking along the causeway will potentially damage both the infrastructure and the environmentally sensitive area including mangroves, seagrass, and wildlife. The causeway was built to provide safe and efficient traffic flow to the island and not intended to be a parking lot, fishing area, or picnic spot. Allowing causeway parking would be contradictory to GIBA’s mission.
Can the GIBA toll pass account database be used to identify potential off island residents who may be eligible to receive parking permits?
No, toll passes are available to all causeway travelers. No proof of residency or identification is required to obtain a toll pass.
For three decades, GIBA has remained focused on protecting the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the causeway system and ensuring dependable access to Boca Grande. GIBA would be happy to provide the Boca Grande Parking Committee with historical traffic data to assist with its mission. Requests can be emailed to kathy@giba.us.
Thank you for serving the community as a member of the Boca Grande Parking Committee and we wish you success with your mission.
