Florida Sen. Joe Gruter, R-Sarasota, filed a bill on Wednesday that would rename a portion of Tamiami Trail (US-41) to "Gulf of America Trail."
The bill follows directives from the White House to adopt the name "Gulf of America" nationwide. Under the leadership of President Donald Trump, US-41 could be the first major roadway in line for a name change.
The bill states, "That portion of U.S. 41 between S.R. 60 and U.S. 1 in Miami-Dade, Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee, and Hillsborough counties is designated as 'Gulf of America Trail.'"
The bill also states that state agencies, county school districts and charter school boards would be required to use teaching material that reflects the name "Gulf of America."
Trump signed an executive order adopting the name change to the "Gulf of Mexico" on his first day back in office on Jan. 20. Though the change is reflected in the United States, the Gulf of America is not recognized as the official name across the globe.
"People using Maps in the U.S. will see 'Gulf of America,' and people in Mexico will see 'Gulf of Mexico.' Everyone else will see both names," Google said.
Trump said he signed Executive Order 14172 in an effort to "restore names that honor American greatness."
Tamiami Trail is a 284-mile stretch of road connecting Tampa to Miami via Naples. In 1915, representatives from Fort Myers and Miami proposed the construction of the highway to connect these coastal cities to help encourage tourism in South Florida.
A Tampa representative caught wind of the proposal and decided to continue the road north, combining both end destinations into one name: Tamiami.
Now, the future of Tamiami Trail will be discussed during a legislative session beginning next week. If passed, the act would take effect on July 1.
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