Revisit The Turnpike Entrance at 468?
 

With all the massive growth now taking place south of 44, what are the odds that Sumter will revisit building a Turnpike entrance/exit at SR 468?

Pretty slim. A few months ago, the whole thing was rolled back. The state really has to do it and they dropped it from their long-range plan and even gave up control of the land (I think).

I agree with above, as I recall Wildwood has plans for developing the land that would have been used for the interchange for retail uses.

There is now NO chance for an interchange at CR468 & the turnpike.

The Villages (not Wildwood) will develop various sites there - regional rec center (northwest quadrant), commercial/retail (northeast quadrant) , residential (southwest and southeast quadrants).

I should add that the current plan appears to be that Buena Vista will eventually extend from CR468 down to CR470, intersecting at a point adjacent to the existing CR470/Turnpike interchange. That will be on the east side of the turnpike.

Of course, CR501 already connects CR468 to CR470, that being on the west side of the turnpike.

Something to consider is the location of 468 within the ongoing development; right in the middle. Current plans and announcements have a bridge or two crossing the turnpike, one being significantly farther north on the turnpike, not a very good location if you were coming from Morse Blvd area.

The bridges have been built/upgraded to support a turnpike exit (nice and wide) at 468, without an exit there is no on/off ramps to deal with making it now possible to add a MMP to the bridges. This would be a great addition and convenience to connecting the sections of The Villages together.

I admit this is all speculation but the logic is there and it makes a lot of since for long term growth planning.

I moved to Florida 11 yeas ago to work a project on the Turnpike and the 468 exit was a part of the job so it's was on the books for at least 15 years. It was discussed many times in meeting as to when construction would start, the bridge was always the key in these discussions.

The timing was pretty amazing, finish the bridge, announce Southern Oaks, more land acquired all the way to 301, make plans with Leesburg to extend all the way to 470, now we don't need the exit at 468. Oh now what to do with these new bridges..., it all seems pretty brilliant to me.

Not Sumter's call. The State will determine where to build any turnpike connections...as always.

Sumter County took action that ended the possibility of an interchange at CR468 and the turnpike. This is part of an article that appeared in the Daily Sun on Dec. 18, 2017:

"Commissioners ratified an agreement that acknowledged the Developer's final payment on a loan through Florida's Infrastructure Bank for the widening of U.S. Highway 301 south of CR 42 in Marion County. The agreement also codified the public-private partnership's decision to forego development of a limited interchange at CR 468 and the turnpike.

"It also releases the Florida Department of Transportation from Sumter County or The Villages from a date-certain improvement of the interchange of U.S. 301 and the turnpike at Wildwood," County Administrator Bradley Arnold told the Daily Sun. "This improvement will be processed as an outcropping of the FDOT's project development and environmental study, which will be concluded in 2018, to widen U.S. 301. So, this amendment will release The Villages from constructing the one-half interchange at CR 468 and the turnpike and acknowledged Sumter County's desire to eliminate the interchange, since the traffic will be better served by the future Buena Vista extension south of SR 44 to CR 470 and the utilization of the existing interchange at CR 470 and the turnpike."

Link to full article: Agreement Clears Path To Extend Buena Vista Boulevard - The Villages Daily Sun: Growth

Thanks for the information, always fact, not rumor

Sumter County and many other entities influence and play a significant role in the process. But FDOT is the final decision maker for Turnpike development. Neither Sumter County nor any other local government can decide to build a Turnpike interchange if the FDOT does not determine it is warranted.

I don't know how it will be possible with all the development maps showing various amenities where any interchange would be.

It's really surprising. I thought TV would build a "Disney-like" mall off a 468 exit ramp . . . after dressing up the several miles they own along the turnpike with jaw dropping golf courses, landscaping, softball complex, fountains, etc. It could have been a prime attraction that would be profitable in itself, but also get people to turn off the turnpike and get a first glimpse of The Villages and become future homeowners. It just seems like something Gary Morse would have done.

that was my thought also

I think something like this will be done by TV near the existing CR470 exit.

TV is building its way in that direction now. And remember this -- TV quietly bought about 7 square miles of land south of CR470. The 470/turnpike interchange will eventually be in the middle of all this forthcoming development.

My predictions are based on the thought we all had when Brownwood was built: "Why would TV build a town square on the edge of TV?" Well ......

Odds of a turnpike exchange at 468 (Morse)? I'd say absolutely zero... Look at the plans submitted, the maps... They report one thing: total TV development. It just makes no business sense to add Turnpike access at one of the BIGGEST "free" advertising spaces for TV in the world: the Turnpike bringing millions of tourists (and potential TV customers) into Central Florida and exciting as they go home. Tens of thousands of visitors every week will slow down to gander and gasp at the homes, golf-courses, ball parks, country-clubs, pools, recreation centers and all the rest...in full view before their eyes! "What is that dear?" "Is that that adult Disneyworld honey?" "Look it up?" "Maybe we can stop by for a peek on the way back home?" "Sure, we can get off at CR 470, the TV ap says there is something called a Town Square there... It's new too, says that the new Town Square is the 'gateway to America's Friendliest Hometown'" "Wow, let's go!"

It's all really fantastic; a brilliant business move that will bring wonderful things to all TV.

This is one reason I wouldn't want to buy in that new area right now. Too many unknowns. I have still not seen anything about adding an 18 hole golf course down there. Right now they just have two 9 hole executive courses. Hardly enough for all those homes they have planned.

All one has to do is look back at TV track record of developing new areas. They are very consistent in their planning for golf course, recreation, regional recreation and shopping centers.

When we bought our lot in 2003 there was nothing....NOTHING... south of 466....no Arnold Palmer, no Sumter Square....unknowns? Similar to today. End result 14 years hence? Beyond expectation.

I posted this in the Golf section of TOTV in November. The attached plan was submitted for the construction of houses in Fenney. It also shows the location of a championship golf course, Tall Pines. The plan identifies two nines - Loblolly at the north end near CR 468, and Longleaf at the south end.

Well I guess you're not in the inner circle of the developer's management team where you get to know all the secrets of what's to come. Guess what, none of us are, we only get to know what little they have to release to keep things moving.

Why would they change from a plan that has worked for nearly 30 years? They wouldn't and haven't. Last year they provide the city of Wildwood with the below concept plan, is it 100% accurate a year later, not hardly, but it does show the a consistent thinking and planning of the development.

They have already started digging operations for 27 more holes on both sides of 468 west of 501. We had not been in The Village of DeSoto for only 6 days and went in yesterday, 7 homes have been framed and/or blocked already, that is amazing. The neighborhood rec center is well under way and a lot of other amenities appear to be popping up over there, not sure what they are, one looks like archery another looks like air rifle ranges, all kinds of great stuff happening down here and it seems to change by the day. Very interesting watching this area develop. Our end of Fenney is about complete now so much less noise and dirt blowing around which makes it more enjoyable. All we need is some warm air to take advantage of the lanai.

I still think reviving the 468 Turnpike on/off ramps would be a boon for TV. Direct access right up Morse to the heart of TV. Using 470 means going up to 44 and a long drive "off campus" before you get to the heart of campus. Exiting at 468 puts you right in the action. We'll see where this goes but in looking at all the plans, I don't see any reason why this could not happen.

When I look at the future growth plans, having an on/off ramp at 468 is not just a matter of providing a convenient interchange for Villagers . . . or the opportunity for an amazing commercial setting. Eventually, this region will attain a population of 250,000 and two turnpike interchanges isn't going to efficiently service that number of people. With all the studies the Developer pays for and the State requires - I don't know how they missed that.

If you ever lived in an area with a higher density of population, it's not uncommon for highway interchanges to exist a mile or so apart. Our desire to have an interchange close to our homes is not as big a deal as the congestion we'll see in the future at the two interchanges we have.

468 turns into morse and runs in front of Fenny, 510 connects fenny to southern oaks, and 470 connects to 510 and has the turnpike entance and exit.

why would they build another.......

...

exactly what I was thinking...

[QUOTE=Carpe Diem;1507213]When I look at the future growth plans, having an on/off ramp at 468 is not just a matter of providing a convenient interchange for Villagers . . . or the opportunity for an amazing commercial setting. Eventually, this region will attain a population of 250,000 and two turnpike interchanges isn't going to efficiently service that number of people. With all the studies the Developer pays for and the State requires - I don't know how they missed that.

Yep, I get it... an exchange in "the middle of is all" seems reasonable (and I agreed with that observation early on here), but I don't think "they missed that"... I think that decided against it.

I think the bang for the buck is building houses-recreation centers-pools-golf courses etc etc where Buena Vista and Morse (468) will meet in Southern Oaks IS the BEST solution (where the exchange would have been). Agreed, having the RR Turnpike exchange WOULD BE nice, but in the grand scheme of things, the lives of the average TV resident do not revolve around easy access to the Turnpike; what's more important is easy access to the things that matter to us as members of the TV community. For one, putting an exchange at Buena Vista/Morse (468) would create issues for golf-cart accessibility and compound other "traffic flow" issues... At end, we're getting along quite nicely without a turnpike exchange in the "center of things" now, why would we need that for Southern Oaks?

Cause we're "voting" here, I'd say the build is on target now, keep the exchange out of the "center"... And let's keep having fun, cause it's more fun to have fun!

I think "Field of Dreams" got that famous saying from the Morse family..."If you build it, they will come".:coolsmiley::coolsmiley:

There was a recent map (another thread) that showed the villages going to Leesburg, but the really interesting point was the preliminary route of the Buena Vista Blvd extension that goes all the way to 470, and is right next to the turnpike interchange.

Sharp eye VT... Want to a quick shoot to Orlando? Follow Buena Vista directly to the turnpike! Boom! Next thing you know, Disneyworld exit!

Now, if that happens, then we have an access road that does not involve going up 470 to 27 north or south to 501. As long as they don't put in a ton of signal lights, that would work. Any idea of time frame?

Interesting note in the Article in Today's Daily Sun about post Irma FDOT plans to widen the Turnpike to 6 lanes. States that the 468 turnpike interchange will be funded for 2019. Widening then planned for 2023 from Lake/Sumter county line to 468 interchange and from there to I 75 in 2025. Page C4. Looks like the State is now picking up the costs.

Now, how does that fit in with the southern expansion?

The heart of the campus is moving south.....those above 466A will be part of the old section.....:). The amenities south of 44 will far exceed what is up here and be more attractive as that area fills out.

What I was referring to is the planned development by TV. In looking at the review from last Friday's Daily Sun, it looks like a 468 Turnpike interchange would not impinge on the the planned Village of Linden south of 468 nor the Magnolia Shopping Center north of 468.