Can’t wait 20 years: Gov. DeSantis announces $7B infrastructure plan for Central, South Florida

High tolls taking their toll on commuters? Florida lawmakers want to help with that.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a $7 billion infrastructure plan that, if approved by lawmakers, could speed up 20 different road projects mainly in Central and South Florida.

Called Moving Florida Forward, the Governor’s plan calls for spending $4 billion and borrowing the additional money to accelerate construction of the roads. Without the added funding, DeSantis said, some of the roads wouldn’t be built for another 20 years.

“I don’t think we can wait 20 years to get this type of relief,” DeSantis said during a news conference in Auburndale where he announced the plan.

The $4 billion investment is coming from the state’s general revenue surplus. The Governor said he will dedicate an added $134 million over a four-year period to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to support the projects.

“These are all projects in the pipeline. They have been approved by local communities. They are really ready to get going, we just need to put the funds in place,” DeSantis said Monday, adding that the money will expand interchanges and as well as widen highways.

Many of the announced projects include the expansion of major highways, some of them notorious for traffic jams and congestion, including Interstate 4, which traverses the middle of the state from Daytona Beach all the way to Tampa.

DeSantis first hinted back in the fall at a major transportation package, but the announcement was delayed after Hurricane Ian battered the state.

The Governor rolled out the package the same week he is also expected to deliver overall budget recommendations to the Legislature for the upcoming Session that starts in March.

FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue said it’s the largest investment he has seen in road construction in his 20-year career with the state.

“Gov. DeSantis’ Moving Florida Forward proposal is truly historic and the projects included will help relieve congestion while also focusing on safety, resiliency, the supply chain and economic growth. These are important for Floridians’ quality of life and to ensure we maintain a strong transportation system to keep Florida moving forward,” Perdue said in a news release.

“The Department has worked closely with communities and our partners through the years to plan and prepare these projects for construction. Receiving this funding will allow the vision of each project to become a reality in the immediate future to better meet the growing demands in communities throughout the state. Our team is prepared and ready to work with the Legislature to deliver these critical projects and strengthen Florida’s transportation infrastructure.”

The Florida Transportation Builders’ Association praised DeSantis for the proposal in a prepared statement.

“By continuing to address both short-term and long-term infrastructure needs in our state, the Governor is responsibly planning for the future to ensure that Florida remains the best state in the nation. These investments will benefit Florida residents, businesses and visitors, not only by improving the roads they travel on each day but by enhancing economic development and providing job opportunities as well,” said FTBA President Ananth Prasad.

DeSantis at the Monday news conference also touted the recent rollback of tolls for some commuters. The Legislature agreed to direct $500 million to the Florida Turnpike Enterprise to set up the toll relief program for drivers that notch 35 transactions a month on their SunPass or other transponders.