Governor Rick Scott paid a visit to Jaxport Monday to announce he’s proposing a record amount of money be spent next fiscal year on transportation projects.The $8.8 billion dollars includes nearly $140,000 for seaport improvements.
The funding Scott is proposing is 200 billion dollars more than last year. He says the additional funding is due to the improving economy.
Projects include widening I-75 from the Georgia border to Orlando, reconstruction of the I-4 / I-95
Interchange near Daytona Beach and elevating the Tamiami Trail in the Everglades to improve water flow.
Governor Scott said the additional funding for port transportation projects will lead to job growth.
"Our ports are having a big impact on the future of our state," he said. "So we are going to invest $2.6 million right here at Blount Island. It's going to help create more jobs and make sure we are the shipping capital for at least the East Coast."
Mayor Alvin Brown praised the Governor for his commitment to transportation projects saying it’s part of collective effort.
Brown also says he’s traveling to Washington next week to lobby Congress to help fund the deepening of the port channel.
You can follow Kevin Meerschaert on Twitter @KMeerschaertJax.
