Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) signed a bill on Thursday that will reverse the toll road expansion proposed earlier in the year.
The bill, SB 100, sent by the state legislature to DeSantis’s desk earlier this month will end the Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance (M-CORES) program and the specific provisions associated with it.
Additionally, the bill will cancel the plan for a toll road planned for Polk County south to Collier County — known as the Heartland Parkway.
Due to the project cancellation, more than $130 million in funds will now be left to a transportation trust. The bill, introduced by Sen. Gayle Harrell (R- Stuart), designates that the funds must be used to improve existing infrastructure throughout the state.
While examining the need for potential toll roads, studies conducted could not conclude the need for expanded toll roads throughout the state.
Two year prior, DeSantis signed a law that allowed for the state to explore the option of expanding the toll road program.
In a statement after the signing, Florida Transportation Builders’ Association President Ananth Prasad said, “By signing Senate Bill 100 into law, Governor Ron DeSantis has helped in taking action to responsibly address both short-term and long-term infrastructure needs in our state, and I thank him for recognizing the need for this important legislation.”
DeSantis and the legislature have been active as the legislative session draws to an end. Earlier this week, DeSantis signed multiple bills on a wide range of topics.
Most notably, DeSantis signed three bills aiming to enhance the level of civics education throughout the state in all levels K-12. Further, colleges and universities throughout the state must conduct student surveys — meant to protect the diversity of thought and opinion.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for the Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Sunrise Toll Plaza” by formulanone CC 2.0.
