At the direction of Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Florida DOT (FDOT) has started accelerating critical transportation infrastructure projects, which are valued at $2.1 billion, during a time when the state is seeing less roadway traffic as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Due to the statewide reduction in traffic, FDOT will expedite crucial improvements to the state’s transportation system.
“The governor understands that Florida’s transportation system is the backbone of our economy and FDOT is proud to accelerate projects, which will help expedite goods to market and provide much-needed jobs throughout the state,” FDOT Secretary Kevin Thibault, P.E., said in a statement. “Safety is our top priority, so we will continue to ensure that employees have the sanitation supplies needed to follow the guidance from the CDC and work with our industry partners to implement these same precautions to keep workers safe and healthy.”
Following an initial review of all pending construction projects across all FDOT districts, including the Florida Turnpike Enterprise, FDOT has identified the following projects to be accelerated:
- The $864M Howard Frankland Bridge project in the Tampa Bay area will be accelerated by nearly four weeks.
- The widening of Southern Boulevard (S.R. 80) in western Palm Beach County will be accelerated by nearly three months.
- In Miami-Dade, the I-395/S.R. 836/I-95 Design Build Project is an $802 million reconstruction project being done in coordination with the local expressway authority that will be accelerated by four weeks.
- The project at Sand Lake Road (S.R. 482) near the heavy tourist area of International Drive and Universal Boulevard in Orlando will be accelerated by four to six weeks.
Several other projects in various regions of the state will also have their timelines accelerated.
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SOURCE: Florida DOT
