At the direction of Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has started accelerating critical infrastructure projects, which are valued at $2.1 billion.
Due to a reduction in traffic throughout Florida during the fight against COVID19, FDOT will expedite crucial improvements to the state’s transportation system and provide much needed jobs.
“The Governor understands that Florida’s transportation system is the backbone of our economy and FDOT is proud to accelerate projects, which will help expedite goods to market and provide much needed jobs throughout the state,” FDOT Secretary Kevin J. Thibault said in an April 1 statement.
“Safety is our top priority, so we will continue to ensure that employees have the sanitation supplies needed to follow the guidance from the CDC (Center for Disease Control) and work with our industry partners to implement these same precautions to keep workers safe and healthy.”
Following an initial review of all pending construction projects across all FDOT districts, including the Florida Turnpike Enterprise, FDOT has identified the following projects to be accelerated:
- The $864 million Howard Frankland Bridge project in the Tampa Bay area will be accelerated by nearly four weeks.
- The widening of Southern Boulevard (SR 80) in western Palm Beach County will be accelerated by nearly three months.
- In Miami-Dade, the I-395/SR 836/I-95 Design Build Project is an $802 million reconstruction project being done in coordination with the local expressway authority that will be accelerated by four weeks.
- The project at Sand Lake Road (SR 482) near the heavy tourist area of International Drive and Universal Boulevard in Orlando will be accelerated by 4 to 6 weeks.
Several other projects, by region, include:
Southeast Florida
- Phase one of construction on the US-1 Cow Key Bridge in Monroe County will be accelerated by one week.
Southwest Florida
- Paving along I-75 at the SR 70 Interchange in Manatee County will be accelerated by 2 weeks.
- Paving, widening and signal upgrades along State Road 951 in southern Collier County will be accelerated by four weeks. Northwest Florida
- The 23rd Street Flyover project at the intersection of US 98 and 23rd Street in Bay County will be accelerated by one week.
Northeast Florida
- The Diverging Diamond Interchange on SR 200 (A1A) at Interstate 95 in Nassau County, the first of its kind in Northeast Florida, will be accelerated by two months.