[Switter]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

I wonder if they are going to have turning lanes on either side for the trucks turning into all of the business along there.

This is my one major complaint about the roads in this area, the lack of right turn lanes.

Especially on 441.

I don't know if that's just a Florida thing...

[Sgt Ed]

Originally Posted by Billy1

Will the 301 four lane connect directly to the single lane at the turnpike?

I think the FEDERAL DOT wants US 301 to be entirely at least 4 lane.

[Regorp]

Originally Posted by Altavia

Project Description:

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is improving U.S. 301 (State Road
(S.R.) 35) from County Road (C.R.) 470 to Florida's Turnpike in Sumter County.

FDOT plans to widen this portion of U.S. 301 to provide two travel lanes in each direction, separated by a raised median.
The project is divided into three segments:

Segment 1 (FPID 430132-2) from County Road (C.R.) 470 to Industrial Park Drive;

Segment 2 (FPID 430132-4) is a realignment of U.S. 301 from Industrial Park Drive to Warm Springs Avenue; and

Segment 3 (FPID 430132-5) from Warm Springs Avenue to Florida's Turnpike.

In addition to widening, the project includes adding a shared-use path, installing traffic signals at Industrial Park Drive and Warm Springs Avenue, and building a roundabout at Marsh Bend Trail.

Right of way acquisition on the project is underway.

Construction on the first segment (430132-4) is expected to begin in early 2026.

. The addition of a roundabout at Marsh Bend Trail will slow down traffic and cause severe backups due to heavy tractor trailer usage. A study needs to be conducted to investigate this potential problem.

[Babubhat]

What is being done about the horrible backups on 301 south at the turnpike? The BP station left turn bump out only allows a few vehicles to wait for a left turn blocking through traffic to the 44 light

[vintageogauge]

My guess is at least 3 years but most likely more. This has not been very well thought out, all that retail land, 1800 feet of frontage and who knows how many acres of back parcels, on the west side just south of the turnpike is going to cause another major headache once all of that land has been developed into retail stores.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Before moving to TV we had the experience of "road improvements" in PA to improve traffic flow, which worked fine for around 2 years by then the traffic had increased to the point it was as bad as before the improvement. Then look at I4 billions spent and almost daily accidents and delays, I suspect the same will be true for 301. It appears road improvements attract additional housing, businesses, etc., which create additional traffic and more congestion.
I hope I am wrong.

I believe you are right, I lived in OKC for 20 years, they never got I-35 or I-40 construction projects done. Buy time the completed section through town it was already outdated. I know guy work road construction and retired doing I-35/I 40 updates in OKC. I went through there in 73 heading for Texas. I move to OKC IN 94 retire in 2014, They was still working on them, finely got rid of raised bridges through downtown after I left.

301 needs to be 4 lanes with turning lanes through Summerfield, it bottom necks down traffic from Ocala and 75 traffic going to and from.

[Babubhat]

Originally Posted by FloridaGuy66

I'm really hoping that Clay Drain road being widened to 2 lanes in each direction is a part of this as I've heard rumored. People need a proper bypass to avoid going through main street in Wildwood once they are north of the turnpike.

Where are the cars going to exit on Clay drain road? Signature drive intersection by Sparr is already a traffic nightmare.

[FloridaGuy66]

Originally Posted by Babubhat

Where are the cars going to exit on Clay drain road? Signature drive intersection by Sparr is already a traffic nightmare.

CR 179 which is an unused road that goes between Clay Drain Rd and SR44 with the UF Health Brownwood emergency location to the East of it. It seems that was the long term plan at some point.

[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by Babubhat

Where are the cars going to exit on Clay drain road? Signature drive intersection by Sparr is already a traffic nightmare.

Obviously, they would need to widen Signature Rd and CR 179 as well for it to work. Not holding my breath....

[harby]

Great, but widen 4 lane road won t improve if there s no improvement or widen to 4 lane road right under the bridge (FL Turnpike) which really make a terrible barrier. Chas

[Babubhat]

CR 179 has zero additional capacity. They are building on the vacant land across from the ER. The ER had to block access because the road was used as a shortcut to Meggison road south through their property.

The new Chipotle prevents any widening of Signature road.