Florida takes wrong turn with bill to expand highways

Florida’s air quality is expected to get much worse.

On May 17, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Transportation Corridors bill into law, committing billions of Florida dollars to build three new tollways. This legislation will result in the biggest expansion of the state highway network in 60 years, and is a massive step in the wrong direction for Florida, likely to result in an increase of global warming pollutants such as carbon dioxide, benzene and nitrogen dioxide.

“Road repairs, public transit improvements and more walkable and bikeable cities—not endless miles of asphalt—have to be the future of transportation,” said Environment Florida State Director Jennifer Rubiello. “Highway expansion sets off a chain reaction of societal decisions that ultimately leads to more cars on the road and exacerbated dangerous air pollution levels.”

Transportation is the country’s leading source of carbon dioxide pollution, and the nation’s transportation system produces more carbon pollution per person than that of any other country.

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Photo: This legislation will result in the biggest expansion of the state highway network in 60 years, and is a massive step in the wrong direction for Florida. Credit: Public Domain.

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