Florida Construction News staff writer
Florida’s FY 2025-26 budget includes $14.8 billion for major highways, rural roadways, and the state’s growing aerospace and maritime industrial sectors. Also, the recommendations announced by Gov. Ron DeSantis include $1.7 billion in the current fiscal year to expedite congestion relief along Interstate-4.
“By maintaining the momentum in back-to-back historic infrastructure investments, Governor DeSantis is prioritizing Florida’s posture as the standard-bearer in state-led infrastructure delivery—from land, air, space, and sea,” Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue said in a statement.
Today’s announcement follows recent actions by the U.S. Department of Transportation that rescind the Biden Administration’s Federalization of the Nation’s Infrastructure, aligning with Florida’s Infrastructure Blueprint. Governor DeSantis is directing FDOT to seek additional opportunities to let states lead by reducing federal duplication in project development, delivery, and permitting.
To that end, budget recommends $13.8 billion in infrastructure projects including:
- $5.7 billion for highway maintenance and construction to remain a national leader in maintaining existing roadways while expanding the system by 169 new lane miles, bringing the cumulative new lane miles since 2019 to 1,481 lane miles.
- $1.6 billion to resurface 2,647 lane miles, bringing the cumulative resurfaced lane miles since 2019 to 16,301 lane miles.
- $954.7 million to repair or replace 64 bridges, bringing the cumulative number repaired or replaced since 2019 to 739 bridges.
There is also $90 million for projects in Florida’s Spaceport Improvement Program.
FDOT has recommended policy changes to safeguard Florida’s strategic position as America’s Preferred Space Launch State by:
- Requiring Port Canaveral to receive state approval prior to utilizing any state funds intended for cargo and space activities for any other use.
- Expanding the eligible projects for FDOT funding to include ancillary infrastructure improvements supporting aerospace manufacturing.
- Prioritizing Seaport Investments That Enhance Economic Competitiveness
- Committing $120 million for projects supporting Florida’s posture as a leader in cruise and cargo operations, bringing the cumulative investment to $1.3 billion since 2019.
FDOT also recommends policy changes to bolster the state’s posture as a leader in maritime trade by expanding the use of Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development (FSTED) and providing funds for shipbuilding and manufacturing improvements at Florida’s seaports.
FDOT is also looking for funding to recruit and retrain skilled transportation talent, including $2 million to build on the Department’s professional certification programs including, Bridge Inspectors and Surveyors and $26.7 million for improvements to Department facilities, including new building construction for the Northwest Florida District Office and necessary improvements to workspaces in the FDOT Tallahassee Headquarters.