(The Center Square) – Florida drivers might get to their destinations a little quicker if either of two bills in the Legislature that could increase the state’s top speed limit to 75 mph become law.
Senate Bill 462 was rewritten by the Senate Transportation Committee on March 19 to include an increase in the speed limit on rural interstates and the Florida Turnpike from 70 mph to 75 mph.
For other divided highways, such as state and U.S. routes outside urban areas with four lanes, the increase would go from 65 mph to 70 mph. All other roadways under FDOT jurisdiction would increase from 60 to 65 miles per hour.
The committee passed the measure 6-3 and is now with the Senate Regulated Industries Committee.
House Bill 567, which is with the Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee, would increase the speed limits by the same measures.
A previous attempt to raise speed limits on rural interstates and the turnpike was vetoed in 2014 by then-Gov. Rick Scott, now a U.S. senator.
If signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Sunshine State would still have lower limits than some western states. In 2015, Montana, Nevada, South Dakota and Wyoming increased their speed limits to 80 mph, while Utah lawmakers passed a more limited 80 mph speed limit bill in 2013.
Also added to SB462 was the redirection of $4.1 million annually from state sales tax revenue to the state Transportation Trust Fund.
The measure is sponsored by Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-St. Petersburg. He told the committee that the redirection was necessary to offset the impact of electric vehicles due to lower gas tax revenue.
The Florida Department of Transportation would also be required to start a grant program to state community colleges and school districts for certain construction workforce development programs.
The measure would also require the removal or relocation of an electric utility transmission line be at the at the utility owner’s expense rather than the utility itself. Underground utilities within a right of way would also have to be electronically detectable.
Dan Hurtado, the president of the Florida Transportation Builders Association, and 19 years as chief engineer for the Transportation Department, told the committee that roughly 60% to 70% of all construction claims for additional compensation on department construction projects are related to utility relocation issues.
House Bill 567, which is with the Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee, would increase the speed limits by the same measures.
