Earlier today, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the groundbreaking of over 31 miles of new auxiliary lanes to be added to I-75, from State Road 44 in Wildwood to State Road 326 in Ocala.
According to DeSantis and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the latest phase of the Moving Florida Forward project has been fully funded and is beginning 10-15 years ahead of schedule.
“We launched Moving Florida Forward in 2023 to accelerate road projects with an emphasis on alleviating traffic,” 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.”
FDOT reported that more than 20 major interstate and roadway projects across the state have been expedited through this initiative, including:
- 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% during peak hours.
- 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% 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 was 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 is projected to increase mobility and reduce delays by up to 94% during peak hours.
