FDOT’s $600 Million Five‑Year Plan for Monroe County
- Liana Gonzalez-Blanco
- Dec 2, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
FDOT’s $600 Million Five‑Year Plan for Monroe County
By: Liana Gonzalez-Blanco
December 2, 2025
Florida Department of Transportation District 6 staff presented their tentative five-year work program to Monroe County commissioners on October 15, 2025, outlining priorities and funding through 2031. The overall District 6 (lower South Florida area) program totals about $4.15 billion, with Monroe County’s share estimated at roughly $600 million. FDOT also noted that approximately $55 million has been set aside in a funding “box” to help advance county projects that are not yet fully funded.
The Mayor and most City Commissioners put this funding at risk this year due to the issue of rainbow crosswalks. A new Florida transportation law, effective June 30, 2025, required all pavement markings to comply with the FDOT Design Manual. However, they refused to follow the new law. Some residents in Key West expressed concerns about Florida state overreach, referencing the Conch Republic secession from the early 1980s as if it were a real event. Mayor Henriquez and Sam Kauffman did radio and television interviews claiming that Key West rainbow crosswalks were legal, even though the new Florida law clearly stated otherwise.
More pragmatic Key West residents questioned the impact on FDOT funding. They wondered whether risking safe roads and bridges during frequent hurricane evacuations was worth taking an ideological stance and breaking the law. Despite protests from some residents, the FDOT sent a work crew to Key West to repaint the crosswalks to standard as required by law. Similar actions occurred in other Florida cities during the summer of 2025. The Key West Police Department monitored the situation as protesters attempted to paint chalk over the new crosswalks.
After several days of protests, one woman was finally arrested for vandalizing the newly painted crosswalks. Ultimately, the City of Key West again received national attention for defying the law but eventually complied. Mayor Henriquez and all but one Commissioner Carey had already faced potential removal by the governor over their anti-ICE immigration stance earlier in the summer. A month later, as if they didn't learn the first time, their stance for rainbow crosswalks nearly jeopardized millions in funding for the Mallory Wharf in Key West.
Mallory Wharf, located in downtown Key West adjacent to Mallory Square, is a major tourism and cruise ship hub. FDOT’s tentative five-year work program for Monroe County includes Mallory Wharf and pier improvements under seaport projects. The presentation did not specify an exact funding amount for Mallory Wharf, unlike the airport projects where FDOT listed $8 million contributions. It was grouped as part of the county’s $600 million allocation. The willingness to risk so much funding over an ideological stance, already deemed illegal by Florida law, is one of the most reckless actions taken by city leadership this year.
FDOT’s funding decisions directly affect critical infrastructure in Key West, from airport expansions to seaport resilience. Compliance with FDOT standards is essential for the city to retain eligibility for state transportation dollars. Mallory Wharf improvements are part of broader seaport investments, reinforcing Key West’s role as a gateway for tourism and commerce. Hurting this tourism economy would be detrimental. Had their push against state law succeeded, it would have had a negative financial impact on families whose income is tied to the tourism economy. Fortunately, common sense prevailed, and the FDOT $600 million in projects for the Florida Keys was secured.
Several local projects were highlighted in the FDOT presentation at the County Commission meeting. At Key West International Airport, FDOT is contributing $8 million toward Terminal Concourse A Phase 2 and another $8 million for a bypass taxiway project. Roadway improvements include resurfacing segments of U.S. 1 between Mile Marker 87 and 90, a drainage project with a new pump station, and lighting upgrades along the Overseas Highway. Seaport funding was also programmed for Mallory Wharf and pier improvements.
Bridges were a major focus of the discussion, particularly the Long Key Bridge. FDOT staff explained that a major rehabilitation is programmed for fiscal year 2030, with construction costs estimated at $242 million and related expenses bringing the total closer to $300 million. A full replacement of the bridge would be substantially more expensive, with estimates approaching three-quarters of a billion dollars. Staff emphasized that rehabilitation will proceed first, while replacement funding remains on a longer-term horizon.
Commissioners raised questions about timing and funding, and FDOT reiterated that the tentative program sets the schedule for when projects will be designed, advertised, and constructed. Large undertakings such as bridge rehabilitation require multi-year commitments and will have significant construction impacts. FDOT encouraged county leaders to continue using its interactive online tools and to meet with staff as projects move from tentative programming toward final funding stages.
Sources
Florida Department of Transportation. District Six Tentative Five‑Year Work Program Presentation to Monroe County Commissioners. Florida Department of Transportation, Nov. 2025.
Florida Department of Transportation. FDOT Design Manual: Pavement Markings Compliance and Legislative Updates. Florida Department of Transportation, 2025.
Monroe County Board of County Commissioners. Meeting Agenda and Minutes: FDOT District Six Work Program Presentation. Monroe County Government, October 15, 2025.
The FDOT presentation to the Monroe County Commission is available at The Key West Post YouTube Channel here. The video will open in a new tab.
Liana Gonzalez-Blanco
Liana is a Key West native who loves writing about her island home. She taught English to students in grades 6–12 for nearly 35 years in Key West schools, sharing her love of literature and language with generations of local students. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Florida. Liana is the owner of Conch Media Group, LLC, and the creator and manager of The Key West Post. Her goal is to keep readers informed about the issues that matter most in Key West. As a lifelong local, she offers a perspective often missing from corporate media and from journalists and bloggers who are new to the island. When Liana isn't writing and managing this website, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family. On most days, you’ll find her walking, biking, or running outdoors, soaking up the natural beauty, friendly people, and diverse cultures that make Key West so special.
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