Florida Construction News staff writer
More than 31 miles of new auxiliary lanes will be added to Interstate 75, stretching from State Road 44 in Wildwood to State Road 326 in Ocala, as part of an accelerated infrastructure project. Originally slated to begin in 10-15 years, the project is now starting ahead of schedule thanks to the “Moving Florida Forward” initiative, which aims to alleviate traffic congestion across the state.
“Moving Florida Forward was launched in 2023 to fast-track road projects and reduce traffic, and this I-75 expansion is a prime example of how we’re delivering much-needed congestion relief sooner than expected,” Jared W. Perdue, Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), said in a statement. “With nearly 114,000 vehicles traveling this corridor daily, this project will ease traffic and bring a $2.3 billion economic boost to the region.”
The “Moving Florida Forward” initiative, which was announced in 2023, utilizes $4 billion from the state’s General Revenue Surplus to accelerate critical infrastructure projects. These include improvements to state-owned roadways that were previously approved but lacked the necessary funding to begin construction.
The I-75 expansion is just one of several projects being fast-tracked across Florida. Other key initiatives include:
- Expanding lanes and adding express lanes along I-4 in Polk and Osceola counties to improve traffic flow for travelers heading to Orlando.
- Adding regular and express lanes to I-275 in Pinellas County, expected to reduce travel delays by up to 85% and enhance capacity on a vital hurricane evacuation route.
- Redesigning the Golden Glades Interchange on I-95 in Miami-Dade County to improve regional connectivity.
- Reconstructing the Fruitville Interchange on I-75 in Sarasota County with a “Diverging Diamond” design, increasing capacity by 40,000 vehicles.
- Widening U.S. 98 in Bay County to boost access to local businesses and accommodate growing traffic in Panama City Beach.
- Realigning U.S. 301 in Sumter County to reduce delays by up to 94% during peak hours.
These improvements are designed to reduce congestion, enhance safety, and support economic growth across Florida, making travel more efficient for both residents and visitors. The I-75 auxiliary lane project is expected to significantly ease traffic and provide long-term relief for one of the state’s busiest highways.
