Work recently began in Florida to build more than 31 miles of new auxiliary lanes for I-75 from State Road 44 in Wildwood to State Road 326 in Ocala; a “Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative” project that is starting 10 to 15 years ahead of schedule, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
[Above photo by the Florida DOT]
The agency said that the $4 billion worth of General Revenue surplus has been committed to this state infrastructure initiative to fund and expedite construction on projects aimed at relieving congestion, improving safety, and enhancing Florida’s supply chain.
“We launched ‘Moving Florida Forward’ in 2023 to accelerate road projects with an emphasis on alleviating traffic,” noted Governor Ron DeSantis (R) in a statement. “We are accelerating this I-75 project near Ocala because residents and visitors alike need relief from the congestion.”
[Editor’s note: The governor also recently proposed a fiscal year 2025-2026 “Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget” that includes a $14.8 billion investment request for major highways, rural roadways, and the state’s growing aerospace and maritime industrial sectors.]
“With nearly 114,000 vehicles driving the corridor daily, these improvements will make traveling easier and bring a $2.3 billion economic impact to the region,” added Jared Perdue, Florida DOT secretary.
The agency pointed out that at least 20 major interstate and roadway projects across the state have been expedited through this two-year-old infrastructure initiative, including:
- The expansion of lanes and the addition of express lanes along I-4 in Polk and Osceola counties, which will reduce congestion and streamline traffic for travelers trying to get into Orlando.
- The addition of regular and express lanes on I-275 in Pinellas County, which is projected to reduce travel delays by up to 85 percent and adds capacity along a major hurricane evacuation route.
- A redesign of the Golden Glades interchange on I-95 in Miami-Dade County to enhance connectivity between major road corridors in the region.
- The reconstruction of the Fruitville Interchange on I-75 in Sarasota County to a “Diverging Diamond” design, which will increase volume capacity by 40,000 vehicles and reduce the number of conflict points between vehicles getting on and off the interstate and opposing traffic.
- The widening of U.S. 98 in Bay County designed to enhance access to local businesses and increase capacity for drivers in Panama City Beach.
- The realignment of U.S. 301 from C.R. 470 to Florida’s Turnpike in Sumter County, which is projected to increase mobility and reduce delays by up to 94 percent during peak hours.
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