In a major boost to Florida’s transportation infrastructure, Governor Ron DeSantis announced today the groundbreaking of over 31 miles of new auxiliary lanes on Interstate 75, stretching from State Road 44 in Wildwood to State Road 326 in Ocala.
The project is a centerpiece of the Moving Florida Forward Initiative, which has been fully funded and is now set to begin construction 10-15 years ahead of schedule.
“We launched Moving Florida Forward in 2023 to accelerate road projects with an emphasis on alleviating traffic,” Governor DeSantis said. “We are accelerating this I-75 project near Ocala because residents and visitors alike need relief from the congestion. This project was not slated to begin for another 10-15 years, but thanks to our program, construction is now underway.”
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Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E., highlighted the economic and practical benefits of the project. “Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, congestion relief along I-75 will be delivered 10-15 years ahead of schedule. 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,” Perdue stated.
The initiative, announced in 2023 by Governor DeSantis, aims to address critical needs on state-owned roadways by funding previously approved projects that had broad community support but lacked funding.
Using $4 billion from the General Revenue Surplus, the Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative is expediting construction on more than 20 major interstate and roadway projects across Florida.
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Among the other key projects under the initiative are:
- I-4 Expansion: Adding lanes and express lanes in Polk and Osceola counties to reduce congestion for travelers heading into Orlando.
- I-275 Enhancements: Expanding regular and express lanes in Pinellas County to cut travel delays by up to 85% and improve hurricane evacuation routes.
- Golden Glades Interchange Redesign: Reconfiguring the interchange on I-95 in Miami-Dade County to enhance connectivity between major road corridors.
- Fruitville Interchange Reconstruction: Upgrading the interchange on I-75 in Sarasota County to a “Diverging Diamond” design, increasing capacity by 40,000 vehicles and reducing conflict points.
- U.S. 98 Widening: Expanding the highway in Bay County to boost access to local businesses and accommodate increased traffic in Panama City Beach.
- U.S. 301 Realignment: Reconfiguring the roadway from C.R. 470 to Florida’s Turnpike in Sumter County, expected to boost mobility and cut delays by up to 94% during peak hours.
As the Moving Florida Forward Initiative progresses, state officials and community leaders anticipate that these accelerated projects will not only reduce traffic congestion but also stimulate local economies and enhance the overall efficiency of Florida’s transportation network.
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