AUBURNDALE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis says $7 billion will be allocated to expedite 20 major road projects across Florida over the next four years, which aim to relieve congestion for drivers in the Sunshine State.
He made the announcement during a visit to the SunTrax Test Facility Toll Operations in Auburndale. He was joined by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Jared Perdue.
DeSantis said in light of a record-setting $22 billion surplus in the Florida budget, he is focusing on initiatives to give back to taxpayers.
One avenue that follows that initiative is proposing legislation to expedite 20 major road projects across the state. This includes projects in the Tampa Bay area, focused mainly on Interstate 275, I-75 and I-4.
According to FDOT, the legislation is dubbed "Moving Florida Forward." If passed as is, it'll allocate $7 billion toward Florida's transportation infrastructure to address congestion relief and improve safety on roadways.
The funds will prioritize 20 "critical infrastructure projects" in the existing FDOT five-year work program. The money will be comprised of $4 billion of general revenue surplus and $3 billion that FDOT will use to "leverage innovative financing tools, contracting, and proposed policies." The funds will be distributed over four years.
Here's how this proposed plan would affect the Tampa Bay area:
- $354 million will go to improvements on I-275 from 38th Avenue to 4th Street
- $53 million for improvements to S.R. 70 from Bourdside Boulevard to Waterbury Road
- $192 million to I-75 a Fruitville Road Interchange
- $197 million to I-4 at S.R. 33 Interchange
DeSantis said all of these projects are already "in the pipeline" as part of FDOT's existing work plan. These funds will help accelerate the timeline for those 20 projects to be completed years ahead of schedule.
"We're putting in — just in this year alone — we're going to be putting in $4 billion from our budget surplus to be in these key projects. We're also going to be putting in $134 million each year to the state transportation work program for further support," DeSantis said.
"[These projects] are really ready to get going," he added.
Perdue dubbed DeSantis' proposal a "bold new vision."
Transportation is an issue DeSantis has been focusing on in recent months. A result of this is a new law providing Floridians with a toll rebate.
Starting on Jan. 1, Florida drivers who record at least 35 trips using their SunPass or E-ZPass transponders will get 50% of their tolls credited back to their accounts. DeSantis said it ensures Floridians, and not tourists, will benefit from the rebate program.