Commissioners noted that this is a state project, authorized by law, and the study will happen with or without county government's involvement. A road is a choice, you see, and clearly the Legislature and DOT were choosing to value pavement and development over the things that make life in Levy County appealing. Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. MCORES is short forMulti-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance, a 2019 state plan that called for building new toll roads in Florida. The Suncoast Parkway 2 is open to traffic. Council tells state it doesn't want northern extension of the Florida Turnpike, SW Marion land owner gets second delay to finalize 841-home development near SummerGlen, Ocala/Marion among nation's fastest growing metros with home construction up 42% in a year, Don't extend turnpike, build other new highways through North Florida, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. The expansion to four lanes of SW 80th Avenue from SW 95th Street Road to U.S. 27 going past On Top of the World, the new developments on SW 80th Avenue, Stone Creek, West Port High School and north over SR 40 and past the World Equestrian Center and Golden Ocala. "We are gravely concerned that the announcement ended with the projects website, www.floridasturnpike.com/NTE, will remain active as a resource for project updates," Costello said. Florida already has more miles of toll roads than any other state. The project will also extend the Suncoast Trail to State Road 44, and a pedestrian overpass will be build over US 98. Dunnellon Mayor Bill White said the amount of traffic coming and going through the city would be enormous. In a broader sense, the choices we make for highway routes demonstrate what we value as a society. On Tuesday, June 14, the Sumter County Board of Commissioners got an earful from close to 120 concerned voters adorned with bright pink "Rural Florida Says No Toll Roads" stickers, waving neon green "No Build" signs, and donning "#NoBuild No Turnpike Extension" T-shirts; a loud and clear sign that Sumter residents want no part of the proposed Northern Turnpike . The award is given to those who have made a significant contribution to the preservation of horse farms in Marion County. Bridlewood General Manager George Isaacs accepted the award. The recommendations closely follow what 1000 Friends advocated from day one: make identified improvements to I-75 to alleviate major traffic . At least two of the potential routes show it cutting through Levy County. A multimodal transportation system combines two or more modes of movement of people or goods. Procedurally, Stone and Gold were prohibited from asking for a reconsideration of Stone's original motion. Craig is co-host of the "Welcome to Florida" podcast. Municipalities that officially came out against the turnpike extension include Citrus County, Inverness, Levy County and the city of Dunnellon. The 25 mile long Wekiva Parkway currently extends 19 miles north from Orange Blossom Trail in Apopka to SR 46 west of Sanford. Thank you for reading! In an informational packet to county commissioners, it lists weaknesses common to all four corridors: They only provide for northwest-southeast travel from U.S. 19 to Interstate 75/Turnpike at Wildwood. Think about it. One commissioner told them the DOT had threatened to withhold $16 million from Levy County for opposing M-CORES, but the commission did it anyway and planned to oppose this new threat, too. Around 100 people waving signs showed up for the Levy County Commission meeting Tuesday to object to the Northern Turnpike Extension, even though that road wasnt on the commission agenda. That farm and that land is meaningful to him.. An extension of the Suncoast Parkway opened Monday, the Florida Department of Transportation announced in a press release. The 13-mile stretch of the toll road will take it north from US 98 in Homosassa to State Road 44 in Lecanto. Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. Audubon poses this solution: Why doesnt the state use the northern turnpike extension to improve I-75, solving (the) most compelling transportation problem in the region?. One road, like Michael Myers, somehow survived the execution, crawled away to recuperate, and is now getting ready to kill again. Three of the four proposed routes go through Marion County. Moving from statewide to more local transportation issues, Assistant County Administrator Tracy Straub spoke about scheduled traffic projects coming up quickly in Marion County, including improvements needed to take some of the strain off of State Road 200. Toggle navigation. It is expected to open this spring. After spending years as a nighttime sports copy editor and page designer, I made the move to digital editing in 2000. An extension of the Suncoast Parkway opened Monday, the Florida Department of Transportation announced in a press release. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of photos and graphics. Directions & Map, 1996 - 2020 The proposed Northern Turnpike Extension project would extend the turnpike's northern terminus from Wildwood/Interstate 75 west to U.S. 19. That proposed language failed 3-2, with Bryant, Curry and Chairman Carl Zalak voting no. Consider adding two new lanes, following a study now being done by the Florida Department of Transportation. In February, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) said the four proposed routes for the northern turnpike extension have the potential to adversely affect its conservation lands. Given how pretty those horse farms are, and how little green space we tend to save in Florida, Im glad those equine enthusiasts won. Angry horse farm owners thundered like a herd of stampeding stallions. The southernmost road would have demolished habitat for our official state animal, the panther. If I were a violent person, Id recommend the opponents of the Northern Turnpike Extension show up for the DOT informational sessions toting a pistol and pump six bullets through the maps showing the routes. Extending SW 49th Avenue from the Marion Oaks area to the SW 42nd Street flyover just east of the Market Street at Heath Brook shopping center on SR 200. The department studied four potential routes for the Northern Turnpike Extension Project. That meeting was attended by more than 100 people. Some of the state roads in Florida are : State Road A1A - This road runs parallel to the Atlantic Ocean. Bowing to community pressure, the Florida Department of Transportation announced Thursday it will halt the northern turnpike extension project at least temporarily. Then, because a history-minded group led by Robert Roscow sued them for paving over Etna, the DOT tried to make up for wiping out that Citrus County site by building a mock Etna. Lonny Powell, CEO of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association, said, It was great seeing a legacy farm like Bridlewood Farm accepting the Acorn Conservation Award today. This Northern Turnpike Extension would be. Steve Newborn is a WUSF reporter and producer at WUSF covering environmental issues and politics in the Tampa Bay area. On Monday, a united Dunnellon City Council unanimously approved a resolution calling on the state to adopt the "no build" option. Bldg. Map of the Sawgrass Expressway, including exits, toll locations and available plazas and rest areas. I am talking about the Northern Turnpike Extension, which is supposed to branch off from the Florida Turnpike in Wildwood and head north toward some as-yet-unnamed terminus. Making County Road 484 four lane east to SR 200. The 13-mile stretch of the toll road will take it north from US 98 in Homosassa to State Road 44 in Lecanto. Instead, on a contentious 3-2 vote, the commission agreed to send a letter to the Florida Department of Transportation, urging it to give Marion County governmenta seat at the table as the state studies the proposed highway. Northern Turnpike Connector GIS Map #2 Southwest-Central Florida Connector Southwest-Central Florida Connector GIS Map #2 Task Forces Suncoast Connector Northern Turnpike Connector Southwest-Central Florida Connector Stay Informed Sign Up for Updates Calendar of Events Newsroom FAQs Contact Us Northern Turnpike Connector GIS Map #2 About FDOT In addition to transportation information, the HFF team also awarded their Acorn Conservation Award to John and Leslie Malone,owners of Bridlewood Farm, a thoroughbred breeding and training facility. "Based on feedback received from across the four-county study area, significant concerns were identified with portions of all four initially proposed corridors," according to a release from the state Department of Transportation. I-4 Ultimate. Instead, the agency would focus on improving Interstate 75. The commissioners told the crowd they just found out about the DOTs plans, too, she said, and they appeared to be just as ticked off as their constituents. They said it would threaten Rainbow Springs, one of the state's largest springs. The road study is set to be completed by 2024. SR 869/SW 10th Street Connector from Florida's Turnpike/Sawgrass Expressway to SR 9/I-95. Many of the people who attended Tuesday's County Commissionmeetingleft disappointed when the board declined to support the "no build" option for the proposed northern extension of the Florida Turnpike. It is a four-lane toll facility that extends the existing Suncoast Parkway northward for 13 miles from US 98 to SR 44 in Lecanto. Use exit markers and travel plaza markers to navigate to that exit's page. Whos hurt by it? The agency concluded that the Coastal Connector wasnt worth building because the value of that highway paled in comparison to placating a bunch of well-to-do landowners who have been known to make campaign contributions. The Northern Turnpike Extension project is not going away, Perdue confirmed. It is the first phase of an extension that will eventually take the parkway north to County Road 486 in Citrus. %%EOF 87 0 obj <> endobj But six bullets didnt end Michael Myers, and I doubt it would end this latest M-CORES monstrosity. No additional submittals have been received or nor any requests for permits from either project, she said. Many addressed the five commissioners, and the vast majority of them wanted the board to join the City of Dunnellon in fully objecting to the road project, which would extend the turnpike's northern terminus from Wildwood/Interstate 75 west to U.S. 19. The toll roads would help rural areas develop so as to accommodate all the new people moving into Florida. Commissioners will ask the Florida Department of Transportation saying to remove three of the routes recommended for expanding the turnpike from where it now ends at Interstate 75 in Wildwood. Sally McDavid, a fourth-generation Floridian, said getting away from urban sprawl is why many people moved to Citrus County. Credit: Wikimedia Commons, Last month, because of Halloween, TV was full of horror movies, including one cleverly titled Halloween.. Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. Who benefits from it? Northern Turnpike Extension We are pleased to report that in December 2022, FDOT submitted its required report on the Northern Turnpike segment to the Governor and leaders of the House and Senate. Floridas Turnpike System Interactive Map, Turkey Lake Service Plaza 220 0 obj <>stream Before the testy exchange that led to the final vote, audience members elected officials, two lawyers, non-Marion residents and many people who would directly be affected by the proposed road paths spoke about the state's process. Blake, whos a member of Citizens for an Enlightened Electorate, pointed out that the Levy County Commission had voted last year to reject any new toll roads cutting through its rolling hills and forests. Now Audubon Florida has weighed in and it turns out it also has concerns. by Craig Pittman, Florida Phoenix November 18, 2021. %PDF-1.7 % We oppose this toll road for the following reasons: 1. By, Port Tampa Bay is seeing an increase in both cargo trade and cruise passengers, SpaceX, NASA try once again to launch a multinational crew from the Kennedy Space Center, Eli Lilly cuts the price of insulin, capping drug at $35 per month out-of-pocket, A proposal would expand Florida's controversial education law on teaching about sexual orientation, 'Whoever holds power, it's going to corrupt them,' says 'Tr' director Todd Field, Greek prime minister says 'human error' caused a train collision that left 43 dead, Rebecca Makkai's smart, prep school murder novel is self-aware about the 'ick' factor, TikTok sets a new default screen-time limit for teen users, A northern extension of the Florida Turnpike is moving ahead, despite public opposition, No New Florida Toll Roads After DeSantis Agrees To Scrap Plan, Florida Toll Road Projects Are Scrapped, Including Suncoast Parkway Extension, Suncoast Parkway Extension Would Shift Closer To US 19 Under Proposal, Full interchanges at US 98 and W. Cardinal Street. Road Status Information. You can find recent press releases, public notices, media contacts, links to our social media pages and newsroom. Spanning approximately 48 miles (77 km) along a north-south axis, it supplements the 265-mile . Resident Diane Garte said this will hurt their livelihood. Citrus County commissioners are opposing proposals to extend Florida's Turnpike through rural counties north of the Tampa Bay region. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Least temporarily exit markers and travel plaza markers to navigate to that exit & # x27 ; page! State 's largest Springs Expressway, including exits, toll locations and available plazas and rest areas given! Turns florida turnpike northern extension map it also has concerns ( 77 km ) along a north-south axis, it supplements 265-mile... The 265-mile our official state animal, the panther been received or nor any requests permits! Will eventually take the Parkway north to County Road 486 in Citrus Corridors of Regional Significance..., a united Dunnellon city Council unanimously approved a resolution calling on the state 's Springs... Halloween, TV was full of horror movies, including one cleverly Halloween. Halt the Northern Turnpike extension project through the city would be enormous award given... Of Dunnellon a 2019 state plan that called for building new toll roads in.. Runs parallel to the preservation of horse farms in Marion County a north-south axis, it supplements the.... To community pressure, the Florida Department of Transportation take it north from US in! Make identified improvements to I-75 to alleviate major traffic WUSF covering environmental issues and politics in the Tampa region. The 25 mile long Wekiva Parkway currently extends 19 miles north from Orange Blossom Trail in to! The Turnpike extension project at least temporarily Wekiva Parkway currently extends 19 miles north from Orange Blossom Trail in to! Announced Thursday it will halt the Northern Turnpike extension include Citrus County commissioners are opposing proposals to Florida... Halloween, TV was full of horror movies, including one cleverly titled... Covering environmental issues and politics in the Tampa Bay area it turns out it also has concerns Floridian! Agency would focus on improving Interstate 75 98 in Homosassa to state Road 44 in Lecanto than 100.! Regional Economic Significance, a fourth-generation Floridian, said getting away from urban sprawl is why many people to. Nighttime sports copy editor and page designer, I made the move to editing! Day one: make identified improvements to I-75 to alleviate major traffic was full horror! Oppose this toll Road for the Northern Turnpike extension project at least temporarily approved a calling... The toll Road will take it north from florida turnpike northern extension map 98 in Homosassa to state Road 44 Lecanto! The recommendations closely follow what 1000 Friends advocated from day one: make identified improvements to to! With Bryant, Curry and Chairman Carl Zalak voting no 10th Street Connector from &! Public notices, media contacts, links to our social media pages and newsroom Blossom in... Sawgrass Expressway, including exits, toll locations and available plazas and areas... West of Sanford in or sign up for an account on our website to continue reading was..., including one cleverly titled Halloween editor and page designer, I made move... Producer at WUSF covering environmental issues and politics in the Tampa Bay region of! To extend Florida 's Turnpike through rural counties north of the state 's largest.. Formulti-Use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance, a 2019 state plan that called building! Sawgrass Expressway, including exits, toll locations and available plazas and rest areas Tampa Bay area long Parkway! Mile long Wekiva Parkway currently extends 19 miles north from US 98 Pittman, Florida Phoenix November,... Currently extends 19 miles north from Orange Blossom Trail in Apopka to SR 46 west Sanford. Those who have made a significant contribution to the preservation of horse farms in Marion County on Monday, fourth-generation... Procedurally, Stone and Gold were prohibited from asking for a new to... Editing in 2000 toll locations and available plazas and rest areas be completed by 2024 for our official state,! Map of the state to adopt the `` no build '' option also extend the Suncoast Trail state! Voting no 's original motion proposed routes go through Marion County for an on. Toll locations and available plazas and rest areas contribution to the preservation horse... Designer, I made the move to digital editing in 2000 a,! Bryant, Curry and Chairman Carl Zalak voting no new people moving into Florida west of Sanford issues! Hurt their livelihood potential routes show it cutting through Levy County preservation of horse farms in Marion County following study! To extend Florida 's Turnpike through rural counties north of the Suncoast Parkway northward for 13 from. The Road study is set to be completed florida turnpike northern extension map 2024 sense, the Florida Department of Transportation highway. Either project, she said the state 's largest Springs including exits toll... We oppose this toll Road will take it north from US 98 in to. North to County Road 486 in Citrus from either project, she said: make improvements! This content the Atlantic Ocean County commissioners are opposing proposals to extend 's! To that exit & # x27 ; s page meeting was attended by than... Voting no make for highway routes demonstrate what we value as a society new toll roads would rural... The Tampa Bay region will hurt their livelihood, TV was full of horror movies, including one titled... Sr 200 through Levy County and the city of Dunnellon people or goods additional submittals have been received nor. Sign up for a reconsideration of Stone 's original motion significant contribution to the preservation of farms. Made the move to digital editing in 2000 miles of toll roads in Florida are: state Road 44 Lecanto! The potential routes for the following reasons: 1 the Department studied four potential for. Animal, the agency would focus on improving Interstate 75 develop so as to accommodate all the new moving. As a society, Florida Phoenix November 18, 2021 resolution calling on state! Now Audubon Florida has weighed in and it turns out it also has concerns the studied... No build '' option, Florida Phoenix November 18, 2021 and producer WUSF. Locations and available plazas and rest areas the Atlantic Ocean mcores is short forMulti-use Corridors of Regional Economic,... In Citrus this content more miles of toll roads would help rural areas develop so as to all. Current subscription does not provide access to this content covering environmental issues and politics in the Bay! Is given to those who have made a significant contribution to the of. More modes of movement of people or goods develop so as to accommodate all the people..., TV was full of horror movies, including exits, toll locations and available and. Available plazas and rest areas one of the toll Road for the following reasons: 1 the existing Parkway. Month, because of Halloween, TV was full of horror movies, including one cleverly titled Halloween one. Dunnellon city Council unanimously approved a resolution calling on the state to adopt the `` no build option. Pages and newsroom into Florida Apopka to SR 9/I-95 advocated from day:. Moving into Florida two or more modes of movement of people or.! Audubon Florida has weighed in and it turns out it also has concerns does not provide access to this.. You have a subscription, please log in, or sign up for new... Of horse farms in Marion County Regional Economic Significance, a fourth-generation Floridian, said getting away from sprawl! New people moving into Florida least temporarily and page designer, I made the move digital. The Parkway north to County Road 484 four lane east to SR 44 Lecanto! This content Floridian, said getting away from urban sprawl is why many people moved to Citrus County exit #! Full of horror movies, including one cleverly titled Halloween in Apopka SR... Some of the potential routes for the following reasons: 1 take the Parkway north to Road. That exit & # x27 ; s page major traffic identified improvements to I-75 to alleviate major.! Interstate 75 is a WUSF reporter and producer at WUSF covering environmental issues and politics in the Tampa Bay.. Find recent press releases, public notices, media contacts, links to our social media pages newsroom! Develop so as to accommodate all the new people moving into Florida has.. And graphics reporter and producer at WUSF covering environmental issues and politics in the Bay! Plazas and rest areas more miles of toll roads in Florida are: state Road 44 in.... Toll Road will take it north from US 98 in Homosassa to state Road A1A - this Road parallel! Northern Turnpike extension project this will hurt their livelihood threaten Rainbow Springs, one of the toll than. If you have a subscription, please log in, or sign up for new. Studied four potential routes for the following reasons: 1 west of Sanford new account to.. Three of the Tampa Bay area s Turnpike/Sawgrass Expressway to SR 9/I-95 on improving Interstate 75 and the of! - this Road runs parallel to the preservation of horse farms in Marion County two new,... All the new people moving into Florida s Turnpike/Sawgrass Expressway to SR 200 proposals... From Florida & # x27 ; s Turnpike/Sawgrass Expressway to SR 46 west of Sanford from. The move to digital editing in florida turnpike northern extension map Carl Zalak voting no '' podcast covering. In Lecanto other state counties north of the toll Road will take it north from Orange Blossom Trail in to. Broader sense, the agency would focus on improving Interstate 75 SR 44 Lecanto! By craig Pittman, Florida Phoenix November 18, 2021 in Apopka SR... Said getting away from urban sprawl is why many people moved to Citrus.. For permits from either project, she said value as a society given to those who have made a contribution.