Trucking came up a winner when Florida Gov. Rick Scott released his 2016-2017 budget Nov. 23. Under the Republican’s proposal for transportation, which must be approved by the Legislature, the Department of Transportation will receive $9.9 billion — $84.87 million less than this year — and the bulk of those billions will be spent on roads.
“Gov. Scott’s transportation budget proposal is in line with Florida’s announced goals to become a major national and international freight hub and to offer the nation’s best opportunities for visitors to our state, particularly tourists,” said Florida Trucking Association President Ken Armstrong, whose organization doesn’t plan to push for particular projects when the Republican-controlled Legislature reconvenes in Tallahassee in March. “High-capacity, well-maintained roads and bridges are pivotal for those strategies to work. Gov. Scott is putting our money where our state’s mouth is.”
FDOT’s proposed budget includes: $3.3 billion of highway construction; $963.4 million for infrastructure maintenance and operations; and $731.9 million to repair 48 bridges and replace 21 others.
“Our Florida First budget ensures Florida will have one of the best and well-maintained transportation systems in the world,” Scott said in a statement. “We are making critical infrastructure investments in our highways, bridges, seaports, airports, transit and trails. Having a strong infrastructure system is vital to our continued economic growth and making Florida first for job growth. We consistently have a top-rated infrastructure system, and we will continue to make strategic investments to make Florida first for transportation.”
Armstrong wasn’t surprised by the extent of Scott’s planned investment in roads and bridges, noting, “The governor has consistently been supportive. If the budget is approved, this will be the third straight year that FDOT has received around $10 billion.”
