Attention, Florida! Governor Ron DeSantis announces key highway expansion to improve state infrastructure in 2025

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a significant expansion of Interstate 75 (I-75) in the southwestern part of the state as part of his "Moving Florida Forward" public works initiative. The plan, aimed at improving connectivity, reducing traffic congestion, and boosting economic development, includes major upgrades to key segments of the highway.

With a total investment of $578 million, the project will add new lanes and enhance the overall infrastructure to accommodate the state's growing transportation needs. The expansion will focus on two critical stretches of I-75: from Collier to Lee counties, covering a 28-kilometer stretch, and from Wildwood to Ocala, spanning 49 kilometers.

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Ron DeSantis announces I-75 expansion with new lanes in Florida

The governor revealed plans to add new lanes to I-75 as part of the Moving Florida Forward project, aimed at easing congestion and improving road safety. The project includes two major segments: from Collier to Lee County and from Wildwood to Ocala.

I-75 Expansion: Collier to Lee County

Location: From Golden Gate Parkway in Collier County to Corkscrew Road in Lee County, covering approximately 28 kilometers.
Improvements: A new lane will be added in each direction, expanding the highway from six to eight lanes in total. Additionally, auxiliary lanes will be introduced to ease traffic flow.
Cost and Timeline: The investment will total $578 million, with construction set to begin in 2026.

I-75 Expansion: Wildwood to Ocala

Location: Spanning 49 kilometers from State Road 44 in Wildwood to State Road 326 in Ocala, through Sumter and Marion Counties.
Improvements: Auxiliary lanes will be added in both directions to increase road capacity. Upgrades will also be made to interchanges at State Road 40 and State Road 326, and a new interchange will be built at NW 49th Street in Ocala.
Start of Construction: Work is scheduled to begin in spring 2025.

What DeSantis said about the I-75 expansion

This initiative is part of Moving Florida Forward, launched in 2023 to accelerate critical infrastructure projects and alleviate traffic congestion. With a total budget of $4 billion from the state’s general revenue surplus, the plan includes not only the expansion of I-75 but also improvements to other key Florida highways.

Governor Ron DeSantis emphasized: “We launched Moving Florida Forward in 2023 to fast-track road projects focused on relieving traffic. This I-75 project near Ocala was originally scheduled to begin in 10 to 15 years, but it's already underway thanks to our program.”

These improvements will not only ease traffic on one of the state's busiest corridors but also boost economic growth and improve mobility for both residents and tourists.