TAMPA, Fla. — In case you haven't noticed: There's a lot of construction going on in the greater Tampa Bay area.
On Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis paid a visit to the Howard Frankland Bridge, which is currently undergoing a multi-million-dollar makeover, to announce where a portion of $2 billion in investments to highways and seaports will be allocated.
Here's how the money will be spent:
- Howard Frankland Bridge enhancements and expansion
- Tampa's Westshore Interchange modernization
- Advancing the Downtown Tampa Interchange
“All of these projects represent really historic investments in the region’s transportation network," DeSantis said.
DeSantis says he wanted the Florida Department of Transportation to focus the funding on highway projects that had previously been deferred and to "identify high-value projects that we needed to advance and that would really make a difference.”
The governor also highlighted the need for enhanced infrastructure as the Tampa Bay area is "exploding" with new communities.
“I think that this will be something that’ll be very, very good for not only folks who live and work in this community but people who come and visit this community for all the great things it has to offer," he said.
To prepare for the upcoming changes, FDOT Secretary Kevin Thibault says early works projects to help "retain regional mobility and manage traffic during heavy congestion" will be put in place.
