Gov. DeSantis touts Bay area, statewide transportation improvements

TAMPA, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis came to Tampa on Tuesday, touting local and statewide transportation projects.

DeSantis said the initiative, called “Moving Florida Forward,” has used billions of dollars from the state surplus to focus on infrastructure.

He said that so far, the state has spent nearly $7 billion on at least 20 major interstate and road projects in Florida, including the Howard Frankland Bridge, Gateway Expressway and Interstate 275 expansion.

DeSantis said the Howard Frankland project is the largest infrastructure project ever delivered in the Bay area.

It will increase capacity by about 50 percent, plus strengthen hurricane routes.

State leaders said the Howard Frankland project is on track to finish getting rid of one section of the old bridge and recycle the concrete for other projects. 

“The work we have done has been significant,” DeSantis said. “We will end up delivering a modern bridge that will increase capacity by 50 percent.”