OCALA, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the groundbreaking for an expansion project on Interstate 75 in Ocala on Tuesday morning, part of a broader effort to improve Florida’s highway infrastructure.
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The project includes adding lanes and express lanes to I-4 in Ocala and I-275 in Pinellas County, along with improvements to the Golden Glades interchange on I-95 in Miami.
Officials say the upgrades to I-4 will increase capacity by 40,000 vehicles, helping to ease congestion across the region.
DeSantis emphasized I-75′s importance as a vital corridor for Florida, noting that 15% of visitors enter the state via the highway. He also highlighted its role as a primary evacuation route during hurricanes and a key roadway for first responders.
The governor announced that Florida is investing $541 million to fast-track the I-75 expansion between State Road 44 and State Road 326.
Originally expected to take 10 to 15 years, DeSantis said the state’s strong economy has allowed the project to move ahead of schedule, with completion now expected in about three to four years.
DeSantis also spoke about the continued expansion of Buc-ee’s locations in Florida, with new stores planned for the Treasure Coast, Leon County, and Daytona.
Local 10 viewers can watch the full press conference in the video below.
