Construction to Begin on Marsh Bend Trail and Central Parkway

[Altavia]

News Flash • Sumter County, FL • CivicEngage (https://www.sumtercountyfl.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1029)

Sumter County, FL – Marsh Bend Trail between CR 500 and C-470 will be closed for reconstruction for four weeks beginning April 23, 2023. In addition, the older section of C-470 will be temporarily closed from CR 500 to Marsh Bend Trail, with a section of C-470 from Marsh Bend to Bexley Trail to be permanently removed.

There is a new roundabout where C-470 connects to Central Parkway (old C-470) just west of NE 54th Terrace in which drivers will take Central Parkway to the South of C-470 where it will connect to a new roundabout at Marsh Bend Trail. Central Parkway then curves north over the removed section of Central Parkway where it connects with another roundabout at Bexley Trail. Drivers will divert to Bexley Trail to return to Central Parkway.

The best detour for those needing to go North on Marsh Bend Trail is to take US 301 to Warm Springs Avenue and then to Marsh Bend Trail.

Detour signs will be setup on Sunday, April 23. The detour lanes will begin on Monday, April 24. Please follow the posted detour signs. The detour is expected to continue through the end of May.

Please use caution when traveling Central Parkway, US 301, Warm Springs Avenue, and follow the traffic signs to protect yourself and construction workers.

[AliceGmail]

Thanks for sharing this article.

[AliceGmail]

Nice article

[Rainger99]

Is Bexley trail open?? Is Bexley Bridge open?

[Goldwingnut]

Is Bexley trail open?? Is Bexley Bridge open?

No, not until this summer.
The route penciled in on the graphic is incorrect, it shows running right on McNeil Drive. The route goes up Bexley Trail which is the next intersection that goes up to the southeast corner of where Eastport is being built. The section of Central Parkway between McNeil and Bexley is not yet completed.

[gobuck827]

No, not until this summer.
The route penciled in on the graphic is incorrect, it shows running right on McNeil Drive. The route goes up Bexley Trail which is the next intersection that goes up to the southeast corner of where Eastport is being built. The section of Central Parkway between McNeil and Bexley is not yet completed.

Which street is McNeil, Don?

[Goldwingnut]

Which street is McNeil, Don?

McNeil is the road that comes east from 501 just south of Monarch Grove, turns south and connects with the new Southern Oaks bridge, parallels the county line along the Wellness Village (new hospital location - some day…) as it continues south, crosses Central Parkway & current 470 and eventually turns west and connect to CR471. It will be one of the longest roads in The Villages, right up there with Morse, Buena Vista, and Marsh Bend Trail.

[gobuck827]

McNeil is the road that comes east from 501 just south of Monarch Grove, turns south and connects with the new Southern Oaks bridge, parallels the county line along the Wellness Village (new hospital location - some day…) as it continues south, crosses Central Parkway & current 470 and eventually turns west and connect to CR471. It will be one of the longest roads in The Villages, right up there with Morse, Buena Vista, and Marsh Bend Trail.

OK, Thanks. So the graphic provided took the detour one roundabout too far to the East.

[Altavia]

No, not until this summer.
The route penciled in on the graphic is incorrect, it shows running right on McNeil Drive. The route goes up Bexley Trail which is the next intersection that goes up to the southeast corner of where Eastport is being built. The section of Central Parkway between McNeil and Bexley is not yet completed.

Whoops! Is this closer?

[VApeople]

I think traffic is going to be a nightmare in the new Middleton and Eastport Areas.

Route 470 is a major roadway for people who work in Leesburg and live in Bushnell, Sumterville, and Lake Panasoffkee. After they finish their work and head home along 470, they drive pretty fast. They will not like it when 470 turns into a bunch of 20 mph roundabouts.

[Altavia]

I think traffic is going to be a nightmare in the new Middleton and Eastport Areas.

Route 470 is a major roadway for people who work in Leesburg and live in Bushnell, Sumterville, and Lake Panasoffkee. After they finish their work and head home along 470, they drive pretty fast. They will not like it when 470 turns into a bunch of 20 mph roundabouts.

There will be two lanes to drag race from one circle to the next so I don't think transit times will be much different ...

[VApeople]

There will be two lanes to drag race from one circle to the next so I don't think transit times will be much different ...

I bet some people think you are kidding.

[Goldwingnut]

Whoops! Is this closer?

Yep, perfect. Video 125 will have the new route from an aerial view, editing now, Hopefully by Tuesday.

[Altavia]

Yep, perfect. Video 125 will have the new route from an aerial view, editing now, Hopefully by Tuesday.

Thanks Don!

Do you know if it will be possible to go west from MBT using 500 to connect to 470?

[Goldwingnut]

Thanks Don!

Do you know if it will be possible to go west from MBT using 500 to connect to 470?

Physically yes, however the road may be closed except for local traffic- residents and employees of the prison. I’ve been down 500 and it’s not much of a road, heavy traffic (by its standards) will be hazardous. I wouldn’t recommend it.

[M2inOR]

Do you know if it will be possible to go west from MBT using 500 to connect to 470?

I drove 500 yesterday. It's a narrow, paved 2 lane road and will likely be even more difficult to drive than using that temporary MBT/470 intersection.

301 between Warm Springs and 470 detour will be a mess without any traffic light at Warm Springs.

I checked the signage at Meggison/470 intersection yesterday, and it's still labeled with the No Trespassing sign, but barriers are not obstructing the lanes. At our VHA rep mtg yesterday, Villages representative did not prove a date when Meggison will be considered "open" for everyone. I saw quite a bit of construction traffice there yesterday.

Seems like Sumter County should have had better prep for detours before closing MBT/470 intersection next week. It's going to be a mess!

[Altavia]

Work has started on the first phase to widen Marsh Bend Trail to four lanes starting just south of Reagan Road to McNeill.

The drawings indicate including provisions for a future roundabout at McNeill.

Southbound lanes of MBT appear to have bypass Lanes planned at roundabouts.

[keithwand]

Monday I went from 48 W to 470 to the detour on Central Parkway. Central PW is coming along with trees etc and brings you close to the school.
Crossed over Marsh Bend and Coleman Prison has disappeared!
Not the prison but TV has made it go away from view.
You still see the Quarry plant at the end where CPW and 470 merge again.
Guessing TV will buy the land the plant sits on someday as quite the eyesore and blasting is not good for the new homes.

[RCJ61]

I would love to see the bridge open and connected to the Riverbend area so people in the new Southern areas (Newell for us) can get to Golf courses and Magnolia plaza quicker.

[vintageogauge]

Patience Newbie. We've been waiting over 6 years for a gas station and pizza shop.

[PJ_Smiley]

There are several developments in Collier and Lee Counties that were previously quarries. These old quarries obviously offer many waterfront properties when converted to residential neighborhoods. In Sarasota at the University Pkwy and I-75 intersection, a quarry is now a huge lake used for boat races with a walking/bike trail around the lake.