The Sunshine State: Florida’s Demographic Boom Drives Infrastructure Development

Why is Florida called the sunshine state? Not just beaches, amusement parks, and sunshine. For decades, Florida has been seen as a retirement haven for Americans thanks to its high quality of life, favorable climate, and advantageous tax structure. Increasingly, however, the state is attracting new residents drawn by the growing opportunities in both large cities and small towns.

The Sunshine State, as Florida is known, has surpassed 23 million residents and is projected to reach 26 million by 2030, overtaking New York to become the third most populous state in the U.S., behind California’s 40 million and Texas’s 30 million. Official data shows a steady increase, with between 300,000 and 380,000 new “Floridians” recorded each year—that’s about a thousand per day.

This population growth is impacting multiple economic sectors, beginning with infrastructure. There is a pressing need for a million new jobs, which the Florida Chamber Foundation projects will be concentrated largely in the construction sector. Simultaneously, there’s a need to modernize and expand the state’s infrastructure network to meet the demands of a growing population.

The Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative is a development program launched in 2023 by the state government to support growth through investments in key projects for local communities. Starting in April, this plan, with a $68 billion budget over five years, aims to address current infrastructure deficits that drive up transportation costs and ultimately affect consumer prices.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) oversees a highway network spanning over 19,300 kilometers. This network has expanded over time but not at a pace to keep up with the demands of millions of travelers. Additionally, 15% of the 12,046 bridges managed by the FDOT are over 50 years old and in need of repair or expansion, as seen in areas like Tampa. There is an urgent need to fund new infrastructure projects to ensure traveler safety and reduce the average time commuters spend in traffic, which has risen by 11.6% annually.

During a recent state tour, Governor Ron DeSantis outlined urgent infrastructure projects to support population growth and economic development, including a redesign of the I-75 interchange at Brandenton, just south of Tampa, to increase daily vehicle transit capacity.

Numerous roadwork contracts have been signed across the state. Among these, Lane Construction—a U.S. subsidiary of the Webuild Group—has been awarded a $190 million contract to construct the interchange between Interstate 4 (I-4) and State Road 33 (SR 33) in Polk County. This new contract includes reconstructing the I-4 and SR 33 intersection in Lakeland to support increased traffic and integrate a future rail corridor along the I-4.

The interchange will be reconfigured to enhance road safety, with a system of multi-lane acceleration and deceleration ramps and roundabouts to reduce crossing times.

The project also includes a 5-mile widening of SR 33, work on signage, ITS systems, lighting, and the construction of two bridges to improve safety and allow wildlife passage.

Webuild and Lane are currently working on widening a section of the Mainline Turnpike in Lake County and SR 417 in Seminole County, as well as on the I-275/SR 60 Westshore Interchange and I-4/I-275 Downtown Interchange in Tampa, and the interchanges between I-4 and SR-535, as well as I-4 and Sand Lake Road in Orlando. These projects will all help provide improved mobility as Florida becomes one of the most populous and modern states in the U.S.