SR44-Brownwood to Turnpike Flyover 7-1-18
 

Two weeks ago TwoPlaneKid posted a great video of the construction work that has started between SR44(Brownwood) and the Turnpike. His efforts inspired me to take a closer look at what's going on in that area, which I did yesterday. Thanks Rich.

I took a drive down the dirt road that is used for construction access in this area on Sunday morning. I don't recommend going there yet in a car or non-4WD truck, it's a bit rough, wet, and muddy. A couple of hundred acres have been cleared already and much more is in progress. Work was continuing even on a Sunday morning, not too unusual in the construction industry, and can be seen in the linked video. There is still a lot of work to go to bring about a MMP to connect the Brownwood area to the southern parts of The Villages under construction.

In this video I did a low level (150 ft.) pass going south and the return trip to Brownwood going north at 400 feet. TwoPlaneKid's video was taken at a higher altitude of 600-700 feet. We both have different airspace restrictions to hopefully avoid incidents, but it also allows for some different vantage points.

SR44 to the Turnpike Flyover

I hope you enjoy the video and the music (music selection credits are at the end per multiple requests) and please subscribe, leave feedback, and requests.

Thanks
GWN

More videos from yesterday's flying are in the editing process now.

Great views. Thanks!!

Well done!

Thanks for the video!

In my opinion, the validity of your comment remains to be seen: "The bridge over SR44 will bring new golf cart enabled traffic to Sparr and the other businesses on the south side of SR44."

Frankly, I doubt legal golf cart access to Sparr and other non-Villages-owned commercial sites is doubtful. A recent example of what I mean is Trailwinds Village on CR466A.

Of course, we have seen plans for commercial plazas which will be developed by TV and will have golf cart access.

I thought about that too. I think it will happen by default because of the golf cart business that the developer purchased across from Brownwood. They would be blocking business to their own store if they make no provisions for access. Once you have access to The Villages Outdoors, you will have access to the all the other areas on that side of 44 because the back roads there are all 30 MPH or less.

They desperately need the additional service capacity for golf carts and access to The Villages Outdoors would give them that.

Of course all this now makes the post form 11/10/17 make since when the city of Wildwood changed the town laws to prohibit golf carts on roads south of SR44 except in an age restricted development. So you may very well be right Champion6, looks like we may have another Best Buy access issue coming our way.

wildwood to prohibit golf carts south of SR44

Don, another fantastic video. Maybe your best one yet. A few things -
1. The shot of the 3 large backhoes is the coolest thing ever. I assume you filmed this then sped it up. The backhoes look totally fake they are moving so fast! Kind of like they are toys.
2. Next time, can you get more of the area along the shore of Lake Okahumka? Would love to see that.
3. When they start selling lots up in this area, how many preserve areas do you think there will be- it looks like a LOT of them.

BTW- Hillsborough is the best! :)

Yes, the video is at 2x or 2.5x normal speed, otherwise everyone (including me) would be asleep watching the video, so it does make the movement of objects on the ground look a little funny.

Okahumpka shore line, I can do that, agree it would be interesting. It may take a week or two, as I have to scout out the areas where I fly for safety and in the unforeseen chance the aircraft goes down and I have to look for it.

What is going in in this area is still a mystery. The developer is better at keeping things secret than the CIA, NSA, and FBI combined. We only know what they let us know or have to release in order to keep construction moving. I do a lot of digging every week on public web sites to get a look ahead of what is to come.