Golf Cart Bridge over Turnpike Found!!!
 

Every week a take a drive around the areas of The Villages in search of things to include in my videos. Yesterday was no different.

While driving down the Turnpike from US301 to CR470 I spotted the work that has begun on the new bridge to cross the Turnpike that will provide the anxiously awaited connectivity between the two areas of The Villages.

Still no clue on when the SR44 bridge at Brownwood is going to be set in place. Pilings for the second bridge over SR44 have also started.

Below is a short video of the new bridge work over the Turnpike

The golf cart bridge over the Turnpike has started - YouTube

Great find! Very exciting to see the start of this!

I had thought the The Villages was going refurbish a bridge once used as a cattle crossing over the Turnpike! Is that out of the planning?

Great shots, as for the Cattle Bridge I heard the same thing unless they've decided to make everything uniform. Time will tell !

The cattle bridge (Bailey Bridge) is south of the Okahumpka Service Plaza and CR468. This bridge is farther north between CR468 and US301, basically due south of Brownwood.

yes there is a lot of work going on on the Bailey Bridge bridge also.

I thought I read that the Cattle Bridge was going to be used as a 2nd Bridge across the Turnpike to the East.

Nice job GWN. I'm going to pose a question with "I heard" in it, but I'm looking for an answer that does not contain "I heard". Rather, one that is backed up by fact. So, I heard the turnpike bridge connectivity is now being "promised" by Spring of 2020. When I moved here over a year ago, it was "promised" by January of 2020. It's encouraging to see that work has begun. But does anyone know, as a matter of fact, that the timeline has officially been slid to Spring?

I've heard and read nothing that has changed the projected date for connectivity. If one hears it from a "reputable" realtor, they're not, they're using scare tactics again.

When thing change you most likely see it either in The Daily Sun or in the insert in The Villages Magazine. If it's on that other web site, take it for what it's worth, not much.

If I hear something "official" thorough my sources, I'll spread the new. Until then, Carpe Diem.

So from what I can tell, the bridge is going right where it shows on their Map... Also including Twoplanekids picture of the area from a few weeks ago - you can see the golf course and the pond that matches up. Look where the sign is and you can see where it will cross. Very cool stuff. Can't wait to see it all in action. Really looks like the area north of the Turnpike will have a LOT of preserve sites also.

The Villages has reached the "Everglades".:icon_wink::popcorn:

Crap............I thought we were going to be able to "Dukes of Hazzard" over the turnypike.




Bumming.

Thanks for the map picture. Still, I only see one bridge over the turnpike, not two. Am I missing something?

Yes, this one is between US301 and CR468, the second is the Bailey Bridge (a cattle bridge) just south of the Okahumpka service plaza. That is the two announced crossings.

Always look forward to your videos. Thank you

Hi Don,

Thanks for all your great informative videos...I subscribe to your YouTube channel.

This is probably going to sound like a dumb question, but will the Turnpike be able to stay open during the entire time the bridge is being constructed?

They will likely shut down the Turnpike when the bridge is lifted into place.

It would be an interesting video to see drone footage leading from the Everglades Rec Center to Brownwood following the projected multi-modal (cart) path.

It's on the list of flights I want to do and is technically achievable (only 3 1/4 miles), there are two hurdles yet to overcome.

The first is being able to maintain a visual line of site on the aircraft, Everglades to the new bridge location is now achievable with the roads that are now open. From the bridge location to Brownwood is much more difficult due to the tree height along the Turnpike. Gaining an access to the middle of the area between the Turnpike and Brownwood to maintain visibility is no longer possible without trespassing, which I won't do. I can't afford the bail for my spotters if they're arrested and would probably lose their services if they picked up a criminal record in the process of helping me out.

Second, while the developer and I don't always see eye-to-eye on what I want to show everyone, I do understand their position on proprietary construction techniques and their desire to weave the story of The Villages as it grows. To this end we have a verbal agreement that I want and intend to honor. This video was only possible because I was able to transit along the Turnpike property right-of-way without endangering cars and people below and still maintain a line of sight of the drone.

Just as soon as it's possible I'll be making the flight. It's the last link in a planned flight between the Mulberry Grove to Fenney Rec Centers.

For now I can tell you that to the untrained eye, they're moving a lot of dirt with little distinguishable or interesting.

The building of bridges across roadways is done all the time. Normal practice is to shutdown and re-route traffic one direction at a time during the lifts. I don't know if this bridge will be supported in the middle or a single span, either way it will be interesting to watch happen.

Don, so many TVrs enjoy your videos that no doubt - if you encounter an issue (speaking for myself...) would gladly pitch in $$ to assist or for bail money. It's the least we could do given the public service you perform for us. You open our eyes ( and with your commentary) and ears to the goings-on within TV. Reminds me of an old term that we haven't heard for years now - 'build-out'.
Know that you and your hard work are much appreciated. :bigbow:

These video's with commentary by Don provided enough due diligence for me to have confidence in the Developer and put money down on a lot that to the eye currently is nothing more than sand. Four months before I can even start to talk about what I want to build on the lot. Two years before I planned to move to the community.

I also appreciate how these video's are documenting the history of the development of the community. Truly an amazing story.

:agree:


Because of the length needed to cover both SB/NB lanes of the Turnpike, I'm betting that they pour a pier (or set a precast) between the lanes...and then close one lane at a time to set each of the two bridge spans.

I would agree, especially in light of government efforts to widen the interstate system to a minimum of 3 lanes in each direction.

While the Turnpike isn't an interstate (it's actually SR92) is planning follow suit. Right now north of SR50 to I-75 and south of US192 to Port St. Lucie exit are the only sections of the Turnpike that haven't been widened to 3/3. With 100,000 people a year moving to Florida every year (and increasing) additional widening will be need.

, new villages to the south...….will be needed :ohdear:

:icon_wink: Right now they just a "Field of Dreams" build it .... they will come.