Rick Scott Proposes $9.9 Billion Transportation Budget

Gov. Rick Scott on Jan. 28 announced that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will receive $9.9 billion in the "Keep Florida Working” budget to make strategic transportation investments statewide. The governor’s proposed budget follows this year’s record funding of $10.1 billion to improve Florida’s infrastructure, including the largest FDOT work program in state history.

Scott said, “We’ve made tremendous investments in our state’s transportation system during my time in office and our return on investment is clear. Strategic improvements to our transportation infrastructure will position Florida as a global leader for economic growth. Our ‘Keep Florida Working’ budget will continue to invest in our ports, our roadways and our entire transportation network to further our economic growth.”

The governor’s budget makes the following investments:

• $3.8 billion for construction of highway projects
• $109.6 million in seaport infrastructure improvements
• $350 million for aviation improvements
• $242.6 million for scheduled repair of 92 bridges and replacement of 16 bridges
• $901.5 million for maintenance and operation
• $548 million for public transit development grants
• $168.3 million for safety initiatives
• $38.3 million for bike and pedestrian trails

Major project by region include:

Northeast Florida

• $116.5M for new road construction on SR 200 (US 301) in Bradford County. The Starke Bypass will provide a new four-lane road that will relieve congestion and provide for future traffic growth on the western side of US 301. The total length of the project is 7.3 miles.
• $49.2M to add lanes and reconstruct SR A1A in a heavily commercial area on a significant east-west and evacuation route between I-95 and the Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach area in Nassau County. This project will relieve congestion and provide for future growth.
• $94.5M for an interchange improvement at I-10 and the U.S. 301 interchange in Duval County. Currently this interchange combines trucks, tourist, trains and commuters into a small interchange that needs improvement to safely move truck traffic on and off I-10 while passenger vehicles still pass over the CSX railroad overpass. The right of way and construction will advance these significant safety improvements which will allow access from U.S. 301 northbound to I-10 eastbound. 
• $179.4M to construct I-95 interchange at I-295. This interchange is the gateway to Jacksonville and the location is adjacent to the Jacksonville International Airport and nearby JaxPort. These improvements are needed to alleviate safety concerns, congestion and for future growth.
• $27M for new road construction on First Coast Expressway from SR 15 (US17) to SR 21 in Clay County. This project is a part of the 46-mile long limited access toll facility in Clay, Duval and St. Johns counties that connect I-10 and I-96 as an outer beltway. 

Northwest Florida

• $38M to add lanes and reconstruct US 29 (SR 95) from north of I-10 to Nine Mile Road in Escambia County, including reconstructing the interchange with Nine Mile Road to increase traffic capacity, mobility of people and goods, and to relieve congestion.
• $46.1M to add lanes and reconstruct SR 10 (US 90A/Nine Mile Rd) from CR 99 (Beulah Rd) to SR 95 (US 29) in Escambia County. These projects will improve mobility along the designated Hurricane Evacuation Route while relieving congestion and promoting opportunities for growth along the corridor.
• $34M to add lanes and reconstruct 3.2 miles of SR 87 from 2 miles south of Yellow River to CR 184, in Santa Rosa County. This project will improve mobility along a designated Hurricane Evacuation Route while relieving congestion and promoting future expansion.
• $106.6M to add lanes and reconstruct SR 77 from north of CR 279 to north of Blue Lake Road in Washington County. These projects will improve mobility along the designated Hurricane Evacuation Route while relieving congestion.

Southwest Florida

• $29.2M to add lanes and reconstruct US 17 from the DeSoto County Line to CR 634 (Sweetwater Rd). This is the missing link of widening US 17 to four lanes from Polk County to Charlotte County. Additional lanes will increase safety and relieve congestion on this major north-south corridor within an area of critical economic concern.
• $60M to add lanes and reconstruct I-75 from Charlotte County line to Sumter Boulevard. Project improvements will reduce congestion and increase efficiencies of the I-75 corridor in conjunction with ongoing lane upgrades.

Southeast Florida

• $78.3M to add lanes and reconstruct SR 997/Krome Avenue from a 2-lane undivided to a 4-lane divided roadway with a shared-use path between SR 90/SW 8 Street to south of SW 136 Street. This project will provide additional capacity, system connectivity, multimodalism and address safety along the corridor.
• $40.4M annual maximum availability payment to operate and maintain the Port of Miami Tunnel Project. This project will improve traffic flow in downtown Miami by reducing the number of cargo trucks and cruise related vehicles on congested downtown streets and will aid ongoing and future development in and around downtown Miami.
• $89.8M replacement of two bridges on SR-80/Southern Boulevard over Lake Worth Lagoon and the reconstruction of roadway for the bridge approaches from Washington Avenue to SR A1A/South Ocean Boulevard in Palm Beach County within the City of West Palm Beach and the Town of Palm Beach. This will increase safety, efficiency and the mobility of people and goods.
• $5M design project to replace the SR-A1A/North Bridge over the Intercostal Waterway in St. Lucie County. This project will replace the existing movable bascule bridge with a high-level fixed bridge. Construction is scheduled for FY2019.  This will increase safety, efficiency and the mobility of people and goods.

East Central Florida

• $28.8M for a new interchange at I-95 and St. Johns Heritage Parkway, also known as the Palm Bay Parkway, located North of Micco Road. The interchange will increase access and safety as current interchanges at Malabar Road and in Indian River County are more than 12 miles apart. The new interchange will also promote connectivity to the new parkway project in western Brevard County.
• $6.5M of right of way purchase and environmental work for eventual new road construction on SR 429/46 from west of Old McDonald Rd to east of Wekiva River Road in Lake County. This is nearly a five mile, tolled section of Wekiva Parkway that takes the project through Lake County over the Wekiva River and just into Seminole County. Much of it will be above grade and elevated to make room for wildlife crossings and to protect the environment.
• $13.6M of right of way purchase for new road construction on SR 429/49 from east of Wekiva River Road to east of Rinehart Road in Seminole County. This partially tolled section features an elevated parkway and includes numerous bridges over side streets, parallel frontage roads for local traffic, and a multi-use trail that crosses the Wekiva River into Seminole County and continues to Longwood Markham Road. This section also connects the Wekiva Parkway to Interstate 4 and provides interconnectivity between two major limited access facilities. In addition, this will link Wekiva Parkway to the Florida Turnpike's SR 417 in Seminole County, which will provide access to Sanford, as well as to Orlando via the east side.

West Central Florida

• $43.1M to add lanes and reconstruct US 301 from SR 674/Sun City Center Boulevard to CR 672/Balm Road to increase capacity and enhance interregional connectivity along US 301, a major north-south corridor within the Tampa Bay Region.
• $80.3M for an aviation capacity project at Tampa International Airport Gateway Center which will create an automated people mover which is intended to move visitors from a consolidated rental car facility to the main terminal at TIA and thereby reducing the congestion along George Bean Parkway. This will also provide a link from the proposed Westshore Multimodal Center to the airport and greatly enhance the movement of visitors and residents throughout the region.
• $45.8M to add lanes and reconstruct SR 54 from CR 577/Curley Road to CR 579/Morris Bridge Road to increase capacity in order to accommodate the expected future demand. This will also improve access to the expanding US 301 corridor allowing both regional and local travelers greater access and reduce congestion in the City of Zephyrhills
• $148.9M for new road construction from US 98 to SR 44 (Suncoast Parkway 2) in Hernando and Citrus counties.  This 13-mile extension along with the Veterans Expressway and the existing Suncoast Parkway will make up a 70-mile limited access transportation corridor stretching from downtown Tampa into Citrus County.  The extension will be an all-electronic, cashless toll facility.

FDOT Secretary Jim Boxold said, “I applaud Governor Scott’s investment in Florida’s transportation system. The funding will not only create jobs for our citizens but continue to keep Florida on the road to having the best infrastructure in the country.”

The transportation building industry recognizes that a thriving economy is not possible without good quality infrastructure.

Florida Transportation Builders’ Association (FTBA) President Bob Burleson said, “The state’s transportation builders thank Governor Scott for his continued support of major transportation improvements in Florida. These investments will mean more jobs for our transportation workers and increased mobility for our citizens and visitors.”

The Governor’s “Keep Florida Working” Budget continues to prepare for the post-Panama Canal expansion which will support job creation by funding vital seaport infrastructure improvements.

Florida Ports Council President and CEO Doug Wheeler said, “We appreciate Governor Scott’s efforts to create jobs and boost the economy by prioritizing seaport and freight infrastructure, needed for Florida to be competitive. The funding strengthens Florida’s position as a leader in the global movement of freight and as a hub for international trade.”

Floridians for Better Transportation President Matthew D. Ubben said, “Now that Florida is the third largest state, Governor Scott’s transportation budget will create more opportunities to help meet the transportation needs of our growing communities. Governor Scott is to be commended for developing a strong, innovative transportation infrastructure where businesses can prosper.”

Asphalt Contractors Association of Florida 2015 President Mark Marine said, “With this budget, Governor Scott is sending a powerful message on the importance of our transportation system. For a growing state like Florida, making transportation a priority is critical to moving Florida’s citizens and economy forward.”

Florida Concrete & Products Association President Mike Murtha said, “Governor Scott’s proposed budget is further proof of his leadership to make sure Florida has a world-class transportation system that enhances mobility and provides jobs for Florida’s families. This budget will continue to strengthen the state’s economic growth.”

Florida Transportation Commission Chairman Jay Trumbull said, “Governor Scott deserves high praise for his recurring investment in Florida’s transportation infrastructure. The Florida Department of Transportation excels in meeting or exceeding many of its performance measures and this budget will help the state continue to set the standard for transportation across the nation.”FDOT has excelled in meeting or exceeding many of the performance measuresFDOT has excelled in meeting or exceeding many of the performance measures

FDOT has excelled in meeting or exceeding many of the performance measures

Florida Public Transportation Association Executive Director Lisa M. Bacot said, “We compliment Governor Scott for his increased funding for public transportation. Additional money for public transit development grants will go a long way in improving the quality of life for Florida’s families.”