The suspension, which began at 9 a.m., is intended to facilitate evacuation of the Florida Keys and is effective for northbound travelers only, Florida Today reported. Ike was approaching Cuba and could be expected to hit the Keys shortly thereafter.

The free travel begins at the turnpike's southern limit at Milepost 0 in Florida City and runs to the turnpike's northern limit at Milepost 309 in Wildwood. Customers may hear their SunPass, E-PASS and O-PASS transponders "beep." But officials assure that their accounts are not being charged during the period of toll suspension.