Florida commits $15.4B to transportation upgrades; New Mexico seeks $487M to close funding gap
Key Highlights
- Florida is committing $15.4 billion to road, bridge and safety improvements statewide, including major highway expansions and rural infrastructure support.
- New Mexico is requesting $487 million in its FY 2027 budget to help close a $5.6 billion transportation funding gap driven by rising costs and declining fuel-tax revenue.
- Both states are positioning their funding plans to address aging infrastructure, improve roadway safety and support long-term mobility needs.
Florida has announced funding for several transportation projects across the state, and New Mexico is seeking funding from the state budget to address a transportation funding gap.
The state of Florida is investing $15.4 billion into its transportation system with a focus on reducing congestion, improving road safety and rehabilitating rural roadways, according to a news release from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
A $4.9 billion investment is being made to conduct highway maintenance and construction with the addition of 181 new lane miles aimed at enhancing traffic flow, reducing congestion and supporting population growth, the release states. The state has constructed 1,667 lane miles since 2019.
According to FDOT’s press release, the nearly $5 billion investment will also support the construction of a new interchange on Interstate 10 near Beaulah Road (County Road 99) in Escambia County, improvements to the Clyde Morris Boulevard (State Road 483) corridor from Beville Road (State Road 400) to Dunn Avenue in Volusia County and the reconstruction of Alton Road (State Road 907) from Michigan Avenue to South Ed Sullivan Drive/43rd Street in Miami-Dade County.
Another $1.4 billon was allocated for the resurfacing of 2,622 lane miles statewide, according to FDOT. The state has repaved 22,677 lane miles since 2019.
Funding of $873 million will go towards the repair and replacement of 59 bridges across the state, including the replacement of the Trout River Bridge at Lem Turner Road (State Road 115) in Duval County, replacement of the Scott Road Bridge over the Econfina Creek in Bay County and rehabilitation of the Long Key Bridge at Overseas Highway (State Route 5) in Monroe County, according to FDOT.
FDOT will invest $269.2 million to promote roadway safety initiatives across the state, including efforts to prevent wrong-way driving and lane-departure incidents, the release states. It will also support educational safety campaigns focused on reducing fatalities and serious injuries from impaired driving.
The state has made several allocations to support transportation projects in rural communities:
- $30 million for the Rural Infrastructure fund to support a variety of rural infrastructure projects, including roads.
- $81.9 million for the Small County Outreach Program, which assists small governments in repairing or rehabilitating county bridges, paving unpaved roads, improving drainage, resurfacing or reconstructing county roads and improving roadway safety and capacity.
- $25.8 million for the Small County Resurfacing Assistance Program which supports resurfacing and reconstruction of county roads.
- $69.7 million for the County Incentive Grant Program, which provides grants for counties to improve transportation facilities on the State Highway System or address congestion on state highways.
New Mexico requests $487M to address transportation shortfall
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is requesting $487 million for the 2027 fiscal year budget in an effort to address some of the state’s $5.6 billion in unfunded transportation needs, according to a news release.
NMDOT said the increased funding request stems from declining fuel tax revenues, higher construction costs and diverse transportation sector demands.
The $487 million request includes:
- $420 million for construction and maintenance needs, as well as federal matching funds.
- $12 million for roadway beautification.
- $10 million for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
- $10 million for traffic safety improvements.
According to the release, state roads in acceptable condition have dropped from 75 percent in 2011 to 69 percent in 2023.
The full transportation budget for 2027 totals $1.3 billion, reflecting a $29.9 million decrease from the current fiscal year. This figure does not include funding from the state general fund, according to NMDOT.
As drivers transition to electric and fuel-efficient vehicles, NMDOT said revenues for the State Road Fund are expected to decline by 13 percent by 2050 due to reduced gas tax collections.
A new bill would help offset the projected decline by granting the Transportation Commission bonding authority of up to $1.5 billion and generate more than $70 million in revenues for the Road Fund, according to NMDOT. The bond proceeds would be restricted to State Transportation Improvement Plan projects.