MARION COUNTY, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis broke ground on a road-widening project on I-75 through Sumter and Marion counties on Tuesday.
The project is 10-15 years ahead of schedule, according to a post by the governor on X.
Governor DeSantis Announces I-75 Expansion Groundbreaking in Ocala https://t.co/g6DuW0UXLY
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 25, 2025
An infographic provided by Moving Florida Forward reports the project will include the addition of auxiliary lanes on both northbound and southbound sides of the interstate between State Road 44 to the south, and State Road 326 to the north. It will include 31 miles of new lanes added to the highway.
“We launched Moving Florida Forward in 2023 to accelerate road projects with an emphasis on alleviating traffic. We are accelerating this I-75 project near Ocala because residents and visitors alike need relief from the congestion,” DeSantis said. “This project was not slated to begin for another 10-15 years, but thanks to our program, construction is now underway.”
The project currently has $541 million in funding and is planned to reduce travel delays by 88% to 96%.
The Florida Department of Transportation projected the wider highway will have a regional economic impact of $2.3 billion.
This project is part of a larger transportation effort called Moving Florida Forward. The project has expedited at least 20 major interstate projects, including an expansion of I-4 in Polk County, and the creation of express lanes on I-275 in Pinellas County.
