Keaton PetersFlorida is considering amping up its spending on improvements to transportation systems, with a focus on roads and bridges. Gov. Ron DeSantis has unveiled a $14.8 billion transportation infrastructure package as part of his 2025-26 “Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget.” The proposal includes major investments in highways, rural roadways and the state’s growing aerospace and maritime sectors, while also advancing an additional $1.7 billion in the current fiscal year to expedite congestion relief along Interstate 4.
The budget earmarks $5.7 billion for highway maintenance and construction, expanding the state’s road system by 169 new lane miles. Another $1.6 billion will go toward resurfacing 2,647 lane miles, and $954.7 million is allocated for repairing or replacing 64 bridges. If the budget is approved, it will position Florida to have added a cumulative 1,481 new lane miles since 2019, along with 16,301 resurfaced lane miles and 739 repaired or replaced bridges.
Florida’s space industry is also a focus of the budget, with $90 million dedicated to spaceport improvement projects. The funding package includes policy recommendations to safeguard Florida’s position in the space launch industry by requiring Port Canaveral to receive state approval before using state funds intended for cargo and space activities for other purposes. It also expands eligible projects for FDOT funding to include infrastructure improvements supporting aerospace manufacturing.
The maritime sector would receive $120 million for projects supporting cruise and cargo operations. Policy changes would expand the use of Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development funds for shipbuilding and manufacturing improvements at Florida’s seaports and introduce supply chain reporting requirements.
For aviation, the budget allocates $254 million to support commercial airports and general aviation facilities, with policy changes to bolster the development of Advanced Air Mobility and vertiport infrastructure and support training programs for pilots, air traffic control personnel and aircraft maintenance technicians.
Rural communities would see $169 million in support for small county grant programs, with FDOT recommending an increase in the Small County Outreach Program and the Small County Road Assistance Program. If approved, the statutory base allocation could rise to $219 million.
Safety remains a priority with $252.1 million allocated for safety programs, including continued efforts to reduce wrong-way driving and impaired driving fatalities. The budget also invests in transportation technologies, with $13.1 million to support operational technology on Florida’s roadways, including continued investment in autonomous and connected vehicles, and $15 million to implement a statewide mapping and geospatial data pilot program.
To address workforce needs, the budget includes $2 million to build on the Department’s professional certification programs for bridge inspectors and surveyors, along with $26.7 million for improvements to Department facilities, including new building construction for the Northwest Florida District Office.
The budget proposal now moves to the Florida Legislature for consideration during the upcoming legislative session. If passed, it would represent one of the largest transportation infrastructure investments in Florida’s history and potentially set a model for other states seeking to take greater control of their infrastructure development.
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