Southwest Florida Lawmakers Request $670M for Storm Resilience and Infrastructure Projects

Southwest Florida legislators asked for more than $670 million in state money for the 2026-27 budget. The funds would pay for evacuation roads, wastewater systems, flood control, and health care growth across Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties. These requests cover larger construction work and smaller day-to-day costs submitted by local governments, hospitals, schools, and nonprofits.

The submissions show what leaders want as budget discussions kick off. Approval isn't certain.

Sen. Joe Gruters and Rep. Danny Nix want $10 million to make River Road wider in Sarasota County between U.S. 41 and Winchester Boulevard. Gruters also wants $7 million with Rep. James Buchanan for the second phase of the Lorraine Road extension east of Interstate 75. This would help people get out during storms.

Sen. Jonathan Martin and Rep. Vanessa Oliver asked for $5 million to widen and stretch 2.75 miles of 24th Avenue from State Road 78 to Del Prado Boulevard North in Lee County. The work would build a four-lane escape route.

Rep. Tiffany Esposito wants $59.7 million to construct the Florida Gulf Coast University Babcock Ranch Learning, Research, and Outreach Facility in Charlotte County. Martin asked for more than $123 million for four different projects at Florida Gulf Coast University. These include a library, a student union rebuild, and a career prep building.

Gruters and Rep. Fiona McFarland requested $8 million to dredge Phillippi Creek from Bee Ridge Road to Beneva Road. Sediment piled up there caused flooding when Hurricane Debby hit in 2024. Gruters and Buchanan want $2.5 million to dredge Whitaker Bayou, which would protect 210 houses in the city of Sarasota.

Sen. Jim Boyd and Rep. Will Robinson requested several wastewater projects for Bradenton totaling $6.5 million. The city seeks $1.5 million for sanitary sewer lining to cut down groundwater seeping in, $3 million for an injection well pumping station, and $2 million for an off-line storage tank.

Oliver wants $10 million to expand the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center. The plan includes a bigger command room, kitchen, showers, and better situational awareness tools. Nix requested $2 million for a Sheriff's Office equipment warehouse to hold disaster response gear.

Martin and Esposito requested $2.5 million to update the School District of Lee County's student transportation system with GPS tracking. They also want to expand weapons detection systems at schools.