Governor DeSantis Unveils $14.8 Billion Transportation Budget for 2025-26

Governor Ron DeSantis has announced the 2025-26 Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget, a $14.8 billion investment aimed at improving Florida’s highways, bridges, spaceports, seaports, and aviation infrastructure. The budget includes a $1.7 billion acceleration of congestion relief projects on Interstate-4 and a commitment to reducing federal oversight in state-led infrastructure projects.

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Jared W. Perdue praised the proposal, stating, “By maintaining the momentum in back-to-back historic infrastructure investments, Governor DeSantis is prioritizing Florida’s posture as the standard-bearer in state-led infrastructure delivery—from land, air, space, and sea.”

Key Transportation Investments:

• $5.7 billion for highway maintenance and 169 new lane miles, totaling 1,481 miles since 2019.
• $1.6 billion to resurface 2,647 lane miles, totaling 16,301 miles since 2019.
• $954.7 million to repair or replace 64 bridges, adding to 739 bridges replaced since 2019.
• $120 million for seaport projects, bringing Florida’s total maritime investment to $1.3 billion.
• $254 million for airport improvements, reaching a total of $2.1 billion since 2019.
• $90 million for Florida’s Spaceport Improvement Program, totaling $487 million since 2019.
• $157 million for freight and rail infrastructure, with a cumulative $1.5 billion investment.

Policy Changes & Future Goals:

The budget directs FDOT to expand infrastructure funding eligibility for aerospace manufacturing and shipbuilding while enhancing supply chain reporting for seaports. It also proposes state approval requirements for Port Canaveral’s use of cargo and space funds.

Safety initiatives include $252.1 million for highway safety programs aimed at reducing wrong-way driving and impaired driving fatalities. FDOT is also seeking $13.1 million for autonomous vehicle technology and $15 million for geospatial mapping to streamline infrastructure planning.

The budget recommendation aligns with recent federal policy rollbacks on infrastructure oversight, allowing Florida to accelerate state-managed projects while reducing federal duplication in permitting and development.