Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Major Advancements for Congestion Relief in Central Florida
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BARTOW, Fla. ~ BARTOW, Fla. - In a press conference today, Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled plans for major infrastructure projects aimed at reducing congestion in Central Florida. These projects include the construction of a new express lane on Interstate 4 (I-4) in Hillsborough County, a critical truck parking facility along the I-4 corridor in Polk County, and the nation's first Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aerial test bed.

Governor DeSantis highlighted the success of Florida's conservative policies and sound fiscal management in producing one of the strongest economies in the nation. He also emphasized his commitment to investing in infrastructure through the Moving Florida Forward initiative, which has expedited major projects by 10-15 years.

"Thanks to Governor DeSantis' leadership, we have been able to bring revolutionary congestion relief projects to life for Florida's residents and visitors," said Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. "Our work to accelerate congestion relief, especially along the I-4 corridor, is a commitment we will continue to deliver on."

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The projects announced today are part of Governor DeSantis' efforts to reduce congestion on Florida's busiest travel and freight corridors. The FDOT will be constructing 17 miles of new express lanes on I-4 in Hillsborough County in both directions from Interstate 75 (I-75) to County Line Road. These lanes will separate long-distance traffic from local commuter traffic, providing additional reliable travel options and improving quality of life for residents.

The project has been officially programmed within FDOT's project pipeline and will be advanced by ten years, with construction expected to begin in 2028.

In addition to the express lanes, FDOT will also be constructing a new 100-space truck parking facility at the Polk Parkway and I-4 interchange in Polk County. This facility will address one of the largest truck parking deficits in the state and will utilize existing right-of-way within the interchange, demonstrating the state's commitment to fiscal prudence.

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Governor DeSantis has also remained committed to supporting Florida's freight traffic, with 75% of the state's total freight being moved by trucks. The expansion of critical truck parking facilities throughout the state is crucial in supporting this vital industry.

Furthermore, Governor DeSantis announced that construction has officially begun on the first of two AAM vertiports at FDOT's SunTrax testing facility. This facility will be expanded to a statewide network of interconnected commercial vertiports and will establish the nation's first-ever AAM aerial test bed and dedicated airspace. This will drive innovative research and development for this emerging technology.

Additional announcements related to Florida's role in AAM will be released by FDOT in the coming months.

In conclusion, Governor DeSantis' bold actions and commitment to reducing congestion have resulted in major infrastructure projects that will greatly benefit Central Florida. With these advancements, residents and visitors can look forward to a more efficient and reliable transportation system.

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