Florida lawmakers walk back on part of controversial toll road project
Briona Arradondo reports
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The state hoped adding toll roads to three parts of the state would help tackle Florida’s growth, but lawmakers aren’t so sure now about the M-CORES program.
"I think that there is emerging bipartisan consensus on this issue that this project is way too big and this project is unnecessary," said State Representative Ben Diamond, D-District 68 in Pinellas County, who introduced a bill to fully repeal the project.
Florida lawmakers walked back the controversial toll road project after getting feedback in the fall from rural and environmental communities. The Multi-Use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance (M-CORES) program became a law in 2019, directing the Florida Department of Transportation to add toll roads in three regions. It would expand the Florida Turnpike to the Suncoast Parkway and build from Polk County through Collier County.