Turnpike and 468 interchange
 

We drove down 468 towards the turnpike and saw where from 44 to past the turnpike, that 468 is being made 4 lanes. I was under the impression that the 301 interchange was going to be improved while the new 468 interchange was put on hold. Maybe not.

Does anyone know what is going on with the 468/turnpike interchange?

I agree with all you have posted and I am also curious to know what is going on down by the turnpike and 468. An entrance and exit there would sure be an added convenience.

In may or so it was announced that this project was on indefinite hold and the efforts were being re-directed to the Turnpike/US 301 interchange. Given that the original projected was being funded 100% by The Villages, one can only assume they had a change of heart - much like the long discussed but never delivered I-75 exit.

If you look at the Sumter Co property map of the area around where the interchange was going to be built, you'll see why it was "put on hold".

what wrong with the 301 access?

Not having a Sumter county property map handy, why exactly was it put on hold?

There is a new development of 964 acres just south of the turnpike, and just east of 301 in the permitting process now. Big jump in traffic for that area. It will be called Wildwood Springs, a non-age restricted community, governed by a recently formed CDD.

The problem with the Turnpike exit at US 301 is with the southbound exit onto US 301 if you're returning from Ocala or Gainesville and don't exit at Rte 44. The visibility is very limited due to the overpass and banking blocking your visibility to the north. You have to cross the the southbound lanes of 301 to turn left northward toward Wildwood. I used that exit a few times thinking it was quicker than exiting onto 44 until I read in the Sun in 2011 a Villages couple were killed doing exactly that, exiting the Turnpike north onto US 301. From then on, I only exit on Rte 44 when returning from the north.

Thanks for the explanation

The majority of the property surrounding the proposed exit is now owned by a "another property owner." I suspect that the developer didn't want to spend mega bucks to build an exit to bring business to their property.

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One of the over 100 corporate names held by the Morse Family has been getting site plans approved for over 2 Million square feet of mixed use development.

This portion is located on the Northeast portion of the CR468 and Turnpike interchange.
This extends from North of CR 501 North toward Morse Blvd and SR 44.
It is on East Side of CR 468.

The Phase 1 of Interchange is well underway.
If one looks toward the West when heading South on CR 468,
(just before you cross over the Turnpike,)
the "deep prep" excavation work has been completed for the OFF Ramp
for those coming from Orlando.

What is the name of the other property owner you refer to? I just looked at the Sumter county site and 3/4 of the property surrounding the proposed interchange at CR468/Turnpike is The Villages of Lake Sumter.

If this is correct, that is more square footage than the Florida Mall which has 250 restaurants and stores. Florida Mall is 1.8 mil sq ft.

Only the efforts using tax dollars has been redirected.

Phase 1 of CR 468 / Turnpike interchange is funded by The Villages.
Phase 1 provides ON and OFF access to and from Orlando area.

Phase 2 will be funded with tax dollars,
Phase 2 was the only thing put on a "so called" indefinite hold.
This only means Phase 2 will be delayed.

The Turnpike / US 301 was fast tracked from 2035 to 2015.
This does not affect the Phase 1 work at CR 468 and The Turnpike.
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As a Side Note....
.. completion of making Interstate 75 into six lanes from Wildwood to Miami has been made a priority.

The I-75 portion "starting from Wildwood" toward Tampa is "Priority ONE" now.
The crossroads of Florida will still be Wildwood FL. (Surprise, Surprise.)

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