April 2026 — In an interview with Invest:, Justin Hall, district secretary for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 7, discussed how the agency is accelerating project delivery, investing in workforce development, and planning for the next generation of transportation technologies. Hall also emphasized the importance of balancing large-scale infrastructure improvements with community-focused initiatives. “With billions of dollars in construction underway, we need a strong pipeline of skilled workers to support those projects,” Hall said.

What key changes over the past year have most significantly impacted FDOT’s work in District 7?

Over the past year, one of our biggest areas of focus has been improving how we deliver projects. Revenues have plateaued somewhat, so we have to be smarter about how we maximize the resources we have. That has meant looking closely at procurement methods and finding ways to deliver infrastructure faster and more cost-effectively.

One of the approaches we have adopted is a procurement model called Modified Phase Design-Build. This process allows us to move projects into construction more quickly while also identifying opportunities to reduce costs. We have already seen substantial savings using this method, along with meaningful time reductions in project delivery.

That focus aligns with a broader priority from the state: providing congestion relief now rather than decades from now. Florida continues to grow rapidly, and residents want to see improvements that make an immediate difference in their daily travel. By changing how we procure and manage projects, we can get construction underway faster and begin delivering those benefits sooner.

Which major infrastructure initiatives do you see having the biggest impact in the Tampa Bay region?

There is a tremendous amount of activity underway right now. In District 7 alone, we have approximately $12 billion in active construction projects.

One of the most significant projects is the Howard Frankland Bridge expansion. That project is just under $1 billion and will add additional capacity across Tampa Bay, including express lanes that provide more reliable travel times for commuters. About 200,000 people cross that bridge every day, so improving that connection between Hillsborough and Pinellas counties is extremely important.

Another major initiative is the Tampa Westshore Interchange project, which is now getting underway. This project strengthens the connection between Tampa International Airport, Pinellas County, and Hillsborough County. It is a critical link in the region’s transportation network and represents more than $1 billion in investment.

We are also constructing the Downtown Tampa Interchange project. This one is particularly complex because it involves building above an active interstate while maintaining daily traffic flow. It requires extensive coordination with the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County, but it will significantly improve mobility in one of the region’s busiest areas.

In addition, the state launched the Moving Florida Forward initiative, which accelerates major transportation projects that otherwise might not have been completed for 20 to 30 years. One example in our district is the widening of Interstate 275 in Pinellas County. That corridor serves as a critical backbone connecting St. Petersburg and Tampa and carries traffic volumes that are comparable to the Howard Frankland Bridge.

How is FDOT working with partners to develop the skilled workforce needed to deliver projects at this scale?

Workforce development is one of the most important issues facing our industry. With billions of dollars in construction underway, we need a strong pipeline of skilled workers to support those projects.

At the statewide level, FDOT has launched several workforce development initiatives. One example is a mobile classroom program that provides commercial driver’s license training. This allows individuals to gain hands-on experience operating heavy equipment and commercial vehicles, which are essential skills for transportation construction.

The program is designed to lower the barrier to entry for individuals who want to pursue a career in the industry. Many people are interested in these careers but cannot access the training or licensing required. By bringing the classroom directly into communities, we make it easier for people to participate and begin building a career.

In the Tampa Bay region specifically, we also created a program called Onboard Tampa Bay. This initiative connects job seekers with transportation construction opportunities through job fairs and direct engagement with employers.

We also partner with organizations such as the Department of Corrections to help individuals reenter the workforce after incarceration. Providing stable employment opportunities is one of the most effective ways to reduce recidivism, and transportation construction offers long-term career paths.

Another major milestone is the creation of the Florida Transportation Academy, which was funded by the state legislature. This academy provides comprehensive training, education, and licensing so that graduates are ready to enter the workforce immediately. It represents a transformational step in building the next generation of transportation professionals.

What broader trends are shaping transportation and infrastructure planning today?

One of the most exciting developments in transportation right now is advanced air mobility. Many people are familiar with the concept of air taxis or electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, and Florida is positioning itself at the forefront of that technology.

FDOT is developing a first-of-its-kind testing and research facility called SunTrax Air. This builds on the existing SunTrax Ground facility, which has been used for testing connected and autonomous vehicles. SunTrax Air will focus specifically on advanced air mobility.

The facility already has one vertiport constructed, with another nearing completion. These vertiports will allow manufacturers and technology companies to test and refine new aircraft systems in a controlled environment.

What is particularly interesting about this initiative is that it generates new research opportunities across multiple fields. For example, aviation meteorology has traditionally focused on high-altitude conditions because commercial airlines operate at those levels. Advanced air mobility aircraft operate much closer to the ground, so we need entirely new datasets that track weather conditions at lower altitudes.

How is FDOT strengthening community engagement when planning large infrastructure projects?

Community engagement is a critical part of how we plan and deliver transportation projects. We still use traditional engagement methods such as public meetings, hearings, and workshops to gather feedback and keep residents informed.

We are expanding how we communicate with communities. Social media has become an increasingly important tool for sharing updates and reaching people who may not attend public meetings.

One initiative we are particularly proud of is something we call Transportation Talks. Instead of presenting a finished project to the community, we meet with residents early in the process and ask them directly about their transportation concerns.

This approach allows us to incorporate community feedback into our planning process before projects are finalized. Sometimes the solutions are large infrastructure improvements, but other times they are small changes that make a big difference.

For example, during one meeting in East Tampa, a resident raised concerns about damaged sidewalks near her home that made it unsafe for children walking to school. Within a week, our team repaired the sidewalks, trimmed trees, and improved the area. It was a relatively small project, but it had a meaningful impact on that community.

Moments like that demonstrate the value of listening and responding quickly to residents’ concerns.

What are FDOT’s key priorities for the next two to three years?

Our priorities focus on three main areas: innovation, efficiency, and community impact.

From an innovation perspective, advanced air mobility and emerging transportation technologies will play an increasingly important role in the future of our transportation network.

We will continue refining how we deliver projects so we can build infrastructure faster and more efficiently. That includes procurement innovations such as Modified Phase Design-Build and other strategies that maximize the value of every dollar invested.

Finally, we remain focused on maintaining the right balance between large-scale infrastructure improvements and local community projects. In District 7, our five-year work program includes approximately $5 billion in planned investments that address both regional mobility and neighborhood-level needs.

The growth of the Tampa Bay region makes these investments essential. By expanding capacity, improving connectivity, and engaging communities throughout the process, we can ensure that the transportation system supports both economic growth and quality of life for residents across the region.