Turnpike Widening US27 to I75

[Altavia]

Looks like three projects to widen the Turnpike from I75 to US 27 are approved.

This widening will increase the number of travel lanes from four to eight with accommodations for future express lanes. Work includes pavement reconstruction and bridge replacements.

Construction starts in Spring 2025.

WIDEN TURNPIKE MAINLINE/SR 91
FROM US 27 TO CR 470
FPID 435787-1
PROJECT DETAILS
This project widens an eight-mile segment of Florida’s Turnpike / SR 91 from US 27 to CR 470. This widening will increase the number of travel lanes from four to eight with accommodations for future express lanes. Work includes pavement reconstruction and bridge replacements

Widen Turnpike Mainline/SR 91 – US 27 to CR 470 – Florida's Turnpike (https://floridasturnpike.com/turnpike-projects/featured-projects/widen-turnpike-mainline-sr-91-us-27-to-cr-470/)

WIDEN TURNPIKE MAINLINE/SR 91
FROM CR 470 TO US 301
FPID 435788-1, FPID 435788-2
PROJECT DETAILS
This project widens a nine-mile segment of Florida’s Turnpike / SR 91 from CR 470 to US 301. This widening will increase the number of travel lanes from four to eight with accommodations for future express lanes. Work includes pavement reconstruction and bridge replacements.

Widen Turnpike Mainline/SR 91 – CR 470 to US 301 – Florida's Turnpike (https://floridasturnpike.com/turnpike-projects/featured-projects/widen-turnpike-mainline-sr-91-cr-470-to-us-301/)

Widen Turnpike Mainline/SR 91 – US 301 Interchange to I-75 Interchange
By Andres RamirezMarch 1, 2024
Widen Turnpike Mainline/SR 91 From US 301 Interchange to I-75 Interchange FPID 435789-1 Project Details This project widens a 5-mile segment of Florida’s Turnpike / SR 91 from US 301 to I-75. This widening will increase the number of travel lanes from four to six . Work includes pavement reconstruction and bridge replacements

Widen Turnpike Mainline/SR 91 – US 301 Interchange to I-75 Interchange – Florida's Turnpike (https://floridasturnpike.com/turnpike-projects/featured-projects/widen-turnpike-mainline-sr-91-us-301-interchange-to-i-75-interchange/)

[Altavia]

Looks like most of the Sumter County segment is budgeted for 2029.

The multi-million dollar question is if the replacement bridges at 470 and/or Warm Springs will include a golf cart lane?

[chrisinva]

many thanks for this informative/sad/needed/shall I sell my house now? / news.

[Tvflguy]

We were on the Pike about noon yesterday going to Clermont, from 301. Got almost to the okahumpka rest area. Stopped dead with cars as far as you can see. Looked on Waze and pike was red for at least 8 miles. So we changed plans, immediately got off at the rest area and did a Uey going back to 301. Changed plans-awful. Going back Monday but will take rt27 thru Leesburg to rt50.

[Altavia]

many thanks for this informative/sad/needed/shall I sell my house now? / news.

There will probably be sound barriers so hopefully noise may be no worse than today.

[Teed_Off]

There will probably be sound barriers so hopefully noise may be no worse than today.
Why would you have any confidence about the sound barriers?

[tophcfa]

many thanks for this informative/sad/needed/shall I sell my house now? / news.

That’s why we bought next to a wildlife preserve instead of a turnpike.

[Randall55]

Widening is terrible enough. Plus several expressways? Wow!

[MrChip72]

The multi-million dollar question is if the replacement bridges at 470 and/or Warm Springs will include a golf cart lane?

Zero chance there would be a golf cart lane in either case. A bridge over Warm Springs wouldn't really be useful at all once the Corbin trail section is connected to Bexley probably by this fall. A golf cart lane on the bridge over 470 would be impossible since golf carts are not legally allowed on an county roads like 470, 466A, etc.

[MrChip72]

We were on the Pike about noon yesterday going to Clermont, from 301. Got almost to the okahumpka rest area. Stopped dead with cars as far as you can see. Looked on Waze and pike was red for at least 8 miles. So we changed plans, immediately got off at the rest area and did a Uey going back to 301. Changed plans-awful. Going back Monday but will take rt27 thru Leesburg to rt50.

There's a sinkhole beside the turnpike they keep fixing and re-fixing that's been causing this issue for a couple months. According to my Groome driver that's been taking the route to Orlando daily for all that time.

[MrChip72]

Widening is terrible enough. Plus several expressways? Wow!

How is widening terrible? It's a good thing. Congestion is bad and noisier than traffic that just keeps moving.

[Randall55]

How is widening terrible? It's a good thing. Congestion is bad and noisier than traffic that just keeps moving.Not terrible for traffic concerns. I'm trying to picture where the expressways will be. Most likely near commercial areas. Near Eastport, perhaps? One that leads toward Brownwood? If so, it changes the dynamic of our community.

[Normal]

Widening is terrible enough. Plus several expressways? Wow!

Don’t listen to the pack of Naysayers, widening will be to the South near 470 and will run center towards the huge median after the plaza. Not a lot of extra real estate is needed. You can view the junctions on google maps. The Warm Springs bridge shouldn’t be effected., but it is possible the Waterlilly bridge could be, but even there the piles and median look like they leave plenty of room for expansion. As far as walls, the newer sections they are currently working on are putting up residential walls if you look at the work being completed near route 50. This may be good news for those who have thought the noise was a problem? Walls might be great, but vegetation is what really suppresses sound.

The only thing fairly certain is the fact that the newer section being built near Middleton would have difficulty accessing anything on the other side of the turnpike in Lake County via golf cart. The Enclave and Dabney areas will most certainly be isolated via golf cart for some time unless they want to travel up to the Bexley Bridge.

[MSchad]

Don’t listen to the pack of Naysayers, widening will be to the South near 470 and will run center towards the huge median after the plaza. Not a lot of extra real estate is needed. You can view the junctions on google maps. The Warm Springs bridge shouldn’t be effected., but it is possible the Waterlilly bridge could be, but even there the piles and median look like they leave plenty of room for expansion. As far as walls, the newer sections they are currently working on are putting up residential walls if you look at the work being completed near route 50. This may be good news for those who have thought the noise was a problem? Walls might be great, but vegetation is what really suppresses sound.

The only thing fairly certain is the fact that the newer section being built near Middleton would have difficulty accessing anything on the other side of the turnpike in Lake County via golf cart. The Enclave and Dabney areas will most certainly be isolated via golf cart for some time unless they want to travel up to the Bexley Bridge.
The Waterlilly bridge was built with the widening in mind. Not a problem.

[Randall55]

Don’t listen to the pack of Naysayers, widening will be to the South near 470 and will run center towards the huge median after the plaza. Not a lot of extra real estate is needed. You can view the junctions on google maps. The Warm Springs bridge shouldn’t be effected., but it is possible the Waterlilly bridge could be, but even there the piles and median look like they leave plenty of room for expansion. As far as walls, the newer sections they are currently working on are putting up residential walls if you look at the work being completed near route 50. This may be good news for those who have thought the noise was a problem? Walls might be great, but vegetation is what really suppresses sound.

The only thing fairly certain is the fact that the newer section being built near Middleton would have difficulty accessing anything on the other side of the turnpike in Lake County via golf cart. The Enclave and Dabney areas will most certainly be isolated via golf cart for some time unless they want to travel up to the Bexley Bridge.I was not nay-saying. Most of us were aware of the plans to widen. Again, my concern is the expressways. Where will they be?

[frayedends]

I hope the widening and repaving does include a wall near 470. It will help turnpike noise. Even new pavement is quieter. I also hope they do a cart bridge at 470. There is villages land beside 470 so a MMP could be build to a cart bridge. I believe Gold Wingnut said he expects they will do a bridge there. But we aren’t “isolated” in Dabney/Lake Denham. It’s only a 20 minute cart ride to Eastport over the Bexley Bridge.

[kansasr]

Why would you have any confidence about the sound barriers?

Florida statute 335.17 requires that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) must look at sound abatement as part of any highway projects that will add capacity
“to help protect the public health, welfare and livability”
of the community.

[frayedends]

Maybe hard to see in this pic from Google but if you look at the Lake Denham Gatehouse, there is a path right behind the houses but not on 470 that leads to the pike overpass. I'm not sure but this may just be a walking path currently. I could see a cart path leading this way. However, not sure how the cart path would deal with the on/off ramps of the turnpike.

https://i.imgur.com/yTRxlRXl.png

[Normal]

Maybe hard to see in this pic from Google but if you look at the Lake Denham Gatehouse, there is a path right behind the houses but not on 470 that leads to the pike overpass. I'm not sure but this may just be a walking path currently. I could see a cart path leading this way. However, not sure how the cart path would deal with the on/off ramps of the turnpike.

https://i.imgur.com/yTRxlRXl.png

I agree, the on off ramps to the turnpike would nix most crossing ideas for golf carts.

[Normal]

I was not nay-saying. Most of us were aware of the plans to widen. Again, my concern is the expressways. Where will they be?

I’m not sure they know, just know they have a potential for the area. Especially near the 470 corridor. Imagine being able to drive from 42 in Lady Lake to Meggison without circles. A need will come one day, and there certainly are enough people already clogging the roadways on Morse and Buena Vista that would consider using it. Another nugget would be the fact that this hypothetical expressway just so happens to go past the Developers retail section off of 470.

[Altavia]

Zero chance there would be a golf cart lane in either case. A bridge over Warm Springs wouldn't really be useful at all once the Corbin trail section is connected to Bexley probably by this fall. A golf cart lane on the bridge over 470 would be impossible since golf carts are not legally allowed on an county roads like 470, 466A, etc.

Never say never ;-)

Bexely Trail is a 4 lane county road across the Turnpike with cart paths along side.

The 470 bridge will need to be replaced as part off the 470 widening. So the possibility is there.

The old southern Warm Springs bridge probably needs to be replaced for the widening. Significant Commercial space is reserved at that corner. There's already a cart tunnel there and the power lines jog south making room.

Some of these new bridges South of us include pedestrian/bike lanes across the Turnpike bridges. Not that big a leap to make them cart lanes.

[Normal]

Never say never ;-)

Bexely Trail is a 4 lane county road across the Turnpike with cart paths along side.

The 470 bridge will need to be replaced as part off the 470 widening. So the possibility is there.

The old southern Warm Springs bridge probably needs to be replaced for the widening. Significant Commercial space is reserved at that corner. There's already a cart tunnel there and the power lines jog south making room.

Some of these new bridges South of us include pedestrian/bike lanes across the Turnpike bridges. Not that big a leap to make them cart lanes.

They shouldn’t have to widen the span on Warmsprings, because the existing median gives quite a bit of wiggle room for two more lanes. Do you really see the state spending massive amounts of cash to accommodate cart crossings over a must-have on and off ramp for the state turnpike on 470? It’s not just a bridge with cart paths when you factor in the logistics for such a project.

[Altavia]

They shouldn’t have to widen the span on Warmsprings, because the existing median gives quite a bit of wiggle room for two more lanes.

Do you really see the state spending massive amounts of cash to accommodate cart crossings over a must-have on and off ramp for the state turnpike on 470? It’s not just a bridge with cart paths when you factor in the logistics for such a project.

This widening will increase the number of travel lanes from four to eight with accommodations for future express lanes. Work includes pavement reconstruction and bridge replacements.

So they need 2-3 times the existing roadway width.

The five year budget for this is close to one billion dollars,

The Villages was able to have a cart only bridge built to Brownwood and cart paths added to the Bexley Bridge. So I wouldn't rule the possibility out.

[Brwne]

Never say never ;-)

Bexely Trail is a 4 lane county road across the Turnpike with cart paths along side.

The 470 bridge will need to be replaced as part off the 470 widening. So the possibility is there.

The old southern Warm Springs bridge probably needs to be replaced for the widening. Significant Commercial space is reserved at that corner. There's already a cart tunnel there and the power lines jog south making room.

Some of these new bridges South of us include pedestrian/bike lanes across the Turnpike bridges. Not that big a leap to make them cart lanes.

Check out Don Wiley's video #61 - it lays out exactly how a cart path can be added to the Warm Springs bridge without structural changes. The video compares the resulting cart lanes with the Morse Bridge cart lanes.

[Altavia]

Check out Don Wiley's video #61 - it lays out exactly how a cart path can be added to the Warm Springs bridge without structural changes. The video compares the resulting cart lanes with the Morse Bridge cart lanes.

The older Warm Springs Bridge supports are just a few feet from the current roadway so it will definitely be replaced.

[MrChip72]

Never say never ;-)

This will NEVER happen. There's basically 0% chance. I'm guessing maybe you bought in Dabney or something and are now hoping that it magically becomes not isolated. The best solution to that is to sell and move to an area in The Villages where you're not relying on future developments that will likely never happen to make your home convenient to amenities.


Bexely Trail is a 4 lane county road across the Turnpike with cart paths along side..

Incorrect. Bexley trail is NOT designated as a Florida county road. Here is a list of all county roads in Sumter county.

List of county roads in Sumter County, Florida - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_county_roads_in_Sumter_County,_Florida)


The 470 bridge will need to be replaced as part off the 470 widening. So the possibility is there.


There's zero possibility there. You cannot legally drive a golf cart on CR470, or any other county road in Florida.


The old southern Warm Springs bridge probably needs to be replaced for the widening.


No it doesn't. That bridge on Warm Springs isn't that old and was built with a long enough span to allow for widening that was already in the plan.

[Altavia]

Your guess of me being in Danby is as incorrect as the rest of your assumptions.

The state apparently had a change of heart after the Waterlilly bridge was built to discourage pedestrians. There now are multiple pedestrian and trail bridges being built across the Turnpike South of here. No reason not to do so here in the future.

Bexley trail is part of the Sumter County road expansion plan and will eventually be turned over to the county along with all the other new county regional roads.

https://www.samanthamerritt.org/road-plan-keeps-sumter-the-villages-growth-in-step/

Central Parkway replaces 470 and there's are cart paths along that road.

The original southern bridge on Warm Springs is old and not wide though for expansion.

The powerlines parallel to the old bridge were relocated south, maybe to leave room for the old bridge to remain in place while building the new.

[margaretmattson]

Goldwingnut on his live show stated construction is slated to begin in 2026.

[pokeefe45@aol.com]

Zero chance there would be a golf cart lane in either case. A bridge over Warm Springs wouldn't really be useful at all once the Corbin trail section is connected to Bexley probably by this fall. A golf cart lane on the bridge over 470 would be impossible since golf carts are not legally allowed on an county roads like 470, 466A, etc.
Who says that the golf cart 'lane' would have to be on a county road? Why wouldn't a dedicated golf cart bridge ( like Water Lily) be the practical play to traverse the turnpike at or close to CR470? The outline of the path exists now-and the county has an agreement in place to allow widening of 470 to 4 lanes-Once the 'Wellness' Village is fully developed and land south of CR470 begins full development-the golf cart connectivity will become important. I'd say good chance of me driving my golf cart across the turnpike near 470-in maybe 5 years?

[MrChip72]

Your guess of me being in Danby is as incorrect as the rest of your assumptions.

What is your motivation to want these unnecessary bridges to be built then? The developer is done with adding bridges over SR44 and the turnpike. There's zero need to add more than what's there. I live on the south side of the turnpike.

Once McNeil drive is open end to end to golf carts the parts of TV south of the turnpike will be well connected.

[Two Bills]

Road widening.
The art of getting more traffic to the next bottleneck even faster.

[Altavia]

What is your motivation to want these unnecessary bridges to be built then? The developer is done with adding bridges over SR44 and the turnpike. There's zero need to add more than what's there. I live on the south side of the turnpike.

Once McNeil drive is open end to end to golf carts the parts of TV south of the turnpike will be well connected.

Famous last words: "The Developer is done". :-)

The point is several new bridges being built by the state of Florida in areas across Turnpike include pedestrian paths as part of the Expansion. These areas have population densities far lower than the Villages.

We'll find out once design is completed. Construction is 6-10 years away.

[MrChip72]

The point is several new bridges being built by the state of Florida in areas across Turnpike include pedestrian paths as part of the Expansion.


Isn't it illegal by State law for the State to build or manage any roads or pathways within a Community Development District (CDD) like the Villages?

[Normal]

Isn't it illegal by State law for the State to build or manage any roads or pathways within a Community Development District (CDD) like the Villages?

Yes, the state is even building pedestrian sidewalks so you can walk from Villages grown to downtown Wildwood. What’s the point? Show me a design where you can put golf carts on 470 and have them maneuver around two entangles and exits from the turnpike.

[MrChip72]

Yes, the state is even building pedestrian sidewalks so you can walk from Villages grown to downtown Wildwood. What’s the point?

That area isn't in the Villages though. Sidewalks on state roads are a requirement now, although probably not the worst thing to do if the Walmart is going around that location according to some. SR44 will be all built up one day in the future.

[Altavia]

Who says that the golf cart 'lane' would have to be on a county road? Why wouldn't a dedicated golf cart bridge ( like Water Lily) be the practical play to traverse the turnpike at or close to CR470? The outline of the path exists now-and the county has an agreement in place to allow widening of 470 to 4 lanes-Once the 'Wellness' Village is fully developed and land south of CR470 begins full development-the golf cart connectivity will become important. I'd say good chance of me driving my golf cart across the turnpike near 470-in maybe 5 years?

Probably longer than 5 years away since they just started design.

That area is a blank slate for the Engineers. They could leave the current interchange in place while building a new one further south.

Central Parkway shares very little of the former CR470 path.

Could be the same on the Lake County side.

[MrChip72]

I'd say good chance of me driving my golf cart across the turnpike near 470-in maybe 5 years?

Zero chance. The bond rates were already set based on what they had planned to build with that money. The developer can't just add-on new infrastructure after the fact. Every road, bridge, sidewalk and MMP was factored into the bond for people that bought in Dabney and adjoining areas.

Also, between announcing the Waterlily bridge and final completion was longer than five years. Ask anyone that bought in Fenney at the beginning and had no access to the rest of the Villages by golf cart for several years.

Regardless, the priority will be on the Central Parkway area for the next 5+ years.

[Altavia]

///

[Altavia]

Zero chance. The bond rates were already set based on what they had planned to build with that money. The developer can't just add-on new infrastructure after the fact. Every road, bridge, sidewalk and MMP was factored into the bond for people that bought in Dabney and adjoining areas.

...



County infrastructure is financed via property taxes, not the bond.

Sumter County paid for the regional roads including the Bexley Bridge - which includes MMP connectivity.

https://www.samanthamerritt.org/road-plan-keeps-sumter-the-villages-growth-in-step/

Pedestrian paths over the Turnpike illustrated earlier in this thread are being constructed now.

[Normal]

County infrastructure is financed via property taxes, not the bond.

Sumter County paid for the regional roads including the Bexley Bridge - which includes MMP connectivity.

https://www.samanthamerritt.org/road-plan-keeps-sumter-the-villages-growth-in-step/

Pedestrian paths over the Turnpike illustrated earlier in this thread are funded by the State.

Tavares and Lake county play a whole different type of ball game with developers. The road from the Lake/Sumter line to Meggison will be 4 lanes and a side walk will be on the right side is all anyone knows outside general news. The going pattern is no traffic circles and a required walk. The funding we know is from 10 million in road impact fees and the 6.5 million credit. The state hasn’t published much on their right of way (ie. Turnpike), but we can look at the stretch that has been completed.

The going pattern is the on off exits will be massive actual circular routes off 470 or whatever it may be named. A lot of conjecture could be made, but in the end things will develop as it gets started on and built. This isn’t a a road addition, so don’t look for a designing marvel. The Developer has to take into consideration state rights to maintain the current crossing of the turnpike. The engineered plans can’t be changed on a dime to add a golf cart path just for fun.

If you want to use a golf cart to cross 470 near Dabney, you just need to take a ride to Sawgrass and use the existing bridge. Otherwise, the Developer will have to go back to Tavares and deal with a whole new road issue and road deal to build a new road to cross.

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