Lane Construction is gearing up for a major infrastructure push in North Central Florida, securing a $238 million design-build contract to modernize and expand a vital stretch of Interstate 75 in Marion County. The project is part of Florida’s ambitious Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, which seeks to deliver faster, safer, and more reliable roadways across the state.

The Charlotte, North Carolina-based civil contractor—a U.S. subsidiary of Italy’s Webuild Group—will lead the extensive upgrade of I-75 between State Road 200 and State Road 326, a corridor that serves as a critical freight and passenger artery.

The scope of work includes:

• Adding auxiliary lanes between interchanges to ease congestion.
• Bridge replacements to improve structural integrity and traffic capacity.
• Milling and resurfacing for a smoother ride and longer pavement life.
• Noise barrier installation to reduce the impact on nearby communities.
• Interchange modifications at State Road 40 and State Road 326 for improved traffic flow.
• Construction of the Southeast 49th Street interchange, which will serve as a main access point for the new Buc-ee’s location in Ocala.
• Drainage and stormwater system enhancements to improve roadway resilience during heavy rainfall.

These improvements are projected to reduce northbound delays by 96% and southbound delays by 88% once completed. Benefits will include greater roadway capacity, enhanced safety, and more efficient hurricane evacuation routes thanks to upgraded shoulders and medians.

“This project will significantly improve mobility for both commuters and freight transport while strengthening hurricane evacuation capabilities,” a company representative noted in the release.

Lane Construction’s portfolio with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is extensive. Current projects include:

• The I-275/I-4 Downtown Tampa Interchange upgrade.
• The Seminole Expressway/SR 417 widening in Seminole County.
• The I-4 at SR 33 Interchange in Polk County.
• The Turnpike Mainline widening from Minneola Interchange to O’Brien Road in Lake County.
• The I-4 and Sand Lake Road Interchange and I-4/SR 535 Apopka–Vineland Road Interchange projects in Orange County.

Construction on the I-75 improvements is expected to begin in early 2026, with completion targeted for 2029.

I-75 is one of Florida’s most heavily used highways, not only connecting major urban centers but also serving as a primary evacuation route during hurricanes. With the state’s population growth and increasing freight traffic, upgrading this corridor is considered essential for long-term economic stability and public safety. The upcoming Buc-ee’s in Ocala, expected to draw thousands of daily visitors, further underscores the urgency of the interchange work.

Originally reported by Keith Loria in Construction Dive.