Florida Construction News staff writer
Florida’s Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget includes $15.5 billion for transportation infrastructure projects – a record level of spending.
“The Focus on Florida’s Future Budget equips the Department with funds to significantly increase our economic competitiveness and preserve Floridians’ quality of life,” said Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “I extend my heartfelt thanks to Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for their unwavering support.”
This year’s investment supports 946 current and upcoming construction projects, and other infrastructure priorities including:
$5.2 billion for highway maintenance and construction, adding 140 new lane miles
$1.8 billion for resurfacing, improving 3,128 lane miles
$960.6 million for freight, rail, and community transportation systems
$382.5 million for the repair of 72 bridges and replacement of 15 bridges
$334.2 million for aviation investments
$215.3 million for Florida Trails, including $50 million for the SUN Trail Network
$210.1 million for safety enhancements
$182.2 million for rural infrastructure programs
$109.6 million for seaport improvements
Florida’s budget prioritizes projects aimed at reducing congestion and expediting the movement of the state’s supply chain. To safeguard against further politicization of transportation infrastructure, during the 2024 Session the Legislature passed bills that:
Institutes public meeting and voting requirements on all local and regional planning and transit agencies seeking to reduce travel lanes and force people’s behavior out of car usage or ownership;
Withhold funding from public transportation entities that breach Florida’s laws protecting travelers from COVID-19 mandates;
Withholds state funding from public transit providers misappropriating state funds to advocate social, political, or ideological agendas on taxpayer-supported transportation infrastructure; and
Ensures state transportation planning concentrates on financial considerations, rather than social, political, or ideological concerns.
