DeSantis’ Moving Florida Forward Initiative breaks ground on I-75 expansion in Ocala

Writer: Nicholas Karsen
Published: Updated:

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis‘ Moving Florida Forward Initiative has broken ground in expanding Interstate 75 in Marion County.

During a news conference held on Tuesday in Ocala, the governor announced the allocation of $541 million to accelerate the project, beginning efforts ahead of schedule.

The initiative aims to ease traffic congestion in several heavily populated areas of the state.

According to DeSantis, the expansion will add auxiliary lanes to about 31 miles of I-75, from State Road 44 to State Road 326, reducing traffic.

In addition to the project, several other major roads will receive improvements, including the Interstate 4 expansion project expedition in Orange County.

According to the Florida Department of Transportation, crews are focusing on four interchange improvements: beginning work on a diverging diamond at Salt Lake Road, converting the Daryl Carter Parkway overpass into a diverging diamond, partially reconstructing the I-4 and Apopka-Vineland Road, and a ramp widening the westbound I-4 exit to eastbound S.R. 528 from one lane to two lanes.

DeSantis remarked that under his leadership, 20 major roadway improvement projects are years ahead of schedule due to the Moving Florida Forward Initiative, saying that residents should not wait for improvements if work can be completed.

The Fruitville Road exit on I-75 will also receive a diverging diamond update, as the governor said that heavy research has been done on each of the projects, with the conclusion suggesting that the diamond would maximize efficiency and reduce traffic delays.

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