TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday that Tallahassee’s airport has been officially renamed the Bobby Bowden Tallahassee International Airport in honor of the legendary former Florida State Seminoles head football coach.
The designation follows the governor’s signing of Senate Bill 628, which officially renames Leon County’s airports and includes several honorary road designations in the state.
“Coach Bowden is a legend in college football, and it’s only right that we honor him in a way that is visible to all who travel to and from our nation’s capital,” DeSantis said.
The airport’s new name pays homage to Bobby Bowden, who turned Florida State University into a national powerhouse during his tenure from 1976 to 2009. Over 34 seasons, Bowden led the Seminoles to two national championships, 12 ACC titles and 14 consecutive top-five finishes during the program’s dominant run in the 1990s. He retired with 377 career wins and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
Borden’s daughter, State’s Attorney Ginger Borden Madden, said the recognition has special meaning for the family.
“Dad spent so much time at the Tallahassee Airport terminal during his 46 years in this great city, so I think it’s only fitting that this airport be named after him,” she said in a statement of gratitude on behalf of the Borden family.
Capital Circle project progresses ahead of schedule
In addition to the airport announcement, DeSantis said the first phase of the state Route 263 (southwest of Capital Circle) major road project was completed a year ahead of schedule.
The $63.5 million project widened approximately four miles of roadway from Spring Hill Road to Orange Avenue to six lanes, improving traffic flow and safety in one of Tallahassee’s major corridors.
The Florida Department of Transportation also confirmed that construction has begun on the second phase of the project, which will extend an additional 3.5 miles southwest of Capital Circle. This phase is expected to be completed by mid-2030.
Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue said the accelerated schedule is part of the state’s broader infrastructure push.
“Phase two is the final piece to complete the Capital Circle Loop and seamlessly connect multiple modes of transportation in Florida’s capital city,” Perdue said.
State officials credited the progress on Phase 2 to the state’s Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, which allocated funds to projects that previously had no funding.
Once complete, the project is expected to strengthen regional connectivity, reduce congestion, and improve safety for commuters and businesses in the Tallahassee area.
