DeSantis’ FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue Remaining for 2nd Term, Oversaw Swift Repair of Sanibel Causeway

Published Nov. 18, 2022, 9:21 a.m. ET | Updated Nov. 18, 2022

Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue.
Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue.

TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that for his 2nd term, Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue will remain in the administration.

Perdue oversaw FDOT during Hurricane Ian and Nicole, directing the repair of the Sanibel Causeway and Pine Island Bridge well ahead of schedule after they were battered by the storm.

DeSantis released a video highlighting key moments from Perdue’s tenure, like giving toll relief to Floridians and emergency repairs after hurricane damage.

“Within the first few days following the storm, cut and toss crews cleared almost 5,000 miles of state roads and we expected all accessible state-owned bridges throughout the state,” he said on Hurricane Ian.

The Pine Island access bridge was completed several days ahead of schedule, to the surprise of locals. It opened just a week after Ian made landfall.

“We were really excited to finish the Pine Island access three days ahead of schedule. We’re doing the same thing with Sanibel – they’ve brought over 160 trucks to the job site, we have 3 dredging operations to fill in. The damage to the causeway was massive […] We hope to finish early.”

Perdue’s hopes came to fruition, and the Causeway also finished early.

On Oct. 19, less than a month after the storm hit, the Causeway reopened to the public.

“Getting the Sanibel Causeway open so quickly as we have just done is due to Governor DeSantis’ unconditional support and leadership that brought all these pieces together. It’s really incredible what you can accomplish when you cut through the red tape, as the governor mentioned,” he said. “What many thought would take six months, the governor pushed us to do it faster, and we delivered.”

Perdue was appointed to the administration on April 7, 2022.

“Secretary Perdue brings a wealth of knowledge and understands the unique aspects of Florida’s transportation industry. I am confident in his ability to lead FDOT and to continue to advance our transportation systems,” DeSantis said.

Previously, the secretary was with FDOT for 18 years, most recently as District Five Secretary. He led the completion of the I-4 Ultimate Project, which was FDOT’S largest project to date.

Perdue received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from The Citadel: The Military College of South Carolina, in Charleston.

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