Florida Construction News staff writer
Construction has begun on a $2.3 billion project to add over 31 miles of auxiliary lanes to Interstate 75, from State Road 44 in Wildwood to State Road 326 in Ocala. The project, which aims to alleviate heavy congestion along a busy stretch of highway, is part of the broader Moving Florida Forward initiative designed to expedite transportation improvements throughout the state.
The expansion, which was originally scheduled to begin in 10 to 15 years, is now moving forward thanks to the funding provided by Florida’s Moving Florida Forward program. This initiative was launched to accelerate critical infrastructure projects and address growing traffic concerns in rapidly developing regions.
“This project is an essential step toward improving travel along one of Florida’s busiest corridors,” said Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Jared W. Perdue. “With nearly 114,000 vehicles using this stretch of I-75 daily, the addition of these auxiliary lanes will help ease congestion and support the region’s economic growth.”
The I-75 expansion is expected to bring significant relief to both residents and visitors traveling between central Florida and north Florida. The construction will enhance traffic flow, reducing travel delays and improving the safety of the interstate.
The project is one of many that is part of the broader Moving Florida Forward initiative, which was designed to expedite road construction using funds from Florida’s General Revenue Surplus. The program has been critical in advancing over 20 major interstate and roadway projects across the state, including:
- 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 designed to enhance access to local businesses and increase capacity for drivers in Panama City Beach; and
- 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.
For more information on Moving Florida Forward ongoing and slated projects, visit fdot.gov/MovingFloridaForward.
