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Florida is moving ahead with a project to add more lanes on Interstate 75 in Ocala, Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
DeSantis made the announcement during a news conference and groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday in Ocala with Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue.
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WATCH HEREThe project will add more lanes to a 31-mile stretch of I-75 plagued by traffic backups related to congestion from nearby Orlando, DeSantis said.
"This is one of the most used if not the most used tourist corridors," DeSantis said.
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Perdue called the area "one of the worst sections of interstate in the entire state of Florida."
The added lanes will also help with hurricane evacuations for people living on the state's west coast, DeSantis said.
DeSantis said the $541 million project wasn't expected to begin for another 10-15 years.
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"When you're doing groundbreaking now instead of in 15 years that obviously is a big win for people," he said.
The roadway construction is part of a nearly $70 billion investment over the next five years to continue "Moving Florida Forward," the state's plan to try to reduce congestion and address roadway safety issues.
A number of projects that are part of the plan are underway, including the redesign of Golden Glades Interchange on Interstate 95 in Miami-Dade.
This is a developing story.
