Gov. Ron DeSantis fast-tracks projects to ease congestion for Florida drivers

State fast-tracks projects to ease I-4 congestion

Gov. Ron DeSantis was in Polk County on Thursday to announce plans to speed up projects, including adding a lane on I-4 in the ChampionsGate area.

AUBURNDALE, Fla. - On Thursday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis vowed to ease congestion on I-75 and the I-4 corridor.

During a press conference at SunTrax in Auburndale, the governor touted the $14.5B slated for 946 transportation projects in the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

He said the money will accelerate projects across the state that will create new travel lanes, resurface roads, fill potholes, and repair and replace bridges.

Governor DeSantis SunTrax press conference

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis holds a press conference about plans to ease congestion for drivers on the I-4 corridor and on I-75.

DeSantis went on to say that money is budgeted for airport expansions as well.

While road projects will take place across the state, DeSantis said that Central Florida is the largest beneficiary as improvements will be made on I-75 and the I-4 corridor.

"Our only focus is on quality of life for Floridians, making sure that we are easing congestion. Making sure that we have safe roads. Making sure that they’re in good shape," DeSantis shared.

PREVIOUS: I-4 widening in Polk County will begin construction in 2024, Gov. DeSantis announces

DeSantis said he has accelerated these projects as part of the ‘Move Florida Forward’ initiative.

According to DeSantis, this initiative allowed projects to be ahead of schedule by about 10 – 15 years.

"I think this is going to end up saving huge amounts of hours waiting in traffic over the next ten or 15 years depending on what would've happened if we didn't put our foot on the gas and lean into some of these projects," said DeSantis.

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Polk County Ron DeSantis