Sick of massive I-75 backups? Help is on the way

Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner
·2 min read
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Local and state officials gathered Tuesday inside the Marion County Commission Auditorium to announce start dates for two key road projects in Marion and Sumter counties. Both are part of Gov. Ron DeSantis' Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, which puts $4 billion toward 20 projects statewide.

Here's a recap:

Interstate 75

An extra lane will be built in both directions of Interstate 75 between State Road 44 in Sumter County and State Road 326 in Marion. Construction should begin around spring 2025 and take three to four years. Funding for the project is $475 million.

FDOT State Secretary Jared W. Perdue speaks Tuesday in Ocala.
FDOT State Secretary Jared W. Perdue speaks Tuesday in Ocala.

U.S. 301 South

In Sumter County, U.S. 301 between County Road 470 and Florida's Turnpike will be widened. The $150 million project will begin construction in fall 2025 and end within three years.

FDOT District Five Secretary John E. Tyler speaks Tuesday in Ocala.
FDOT District Five Secretary John E. Tyler speaks Tuesday in Ocala.

Reactions from state and local leaders

John Tyler, secretary of Florida Department of Transportation District 5, which covers central Florida, told the audience that the state is home to close to 23 million residents and more than 137 million annual visitors. Tyler said the road projects will address congestion, improve safety and help the state accommodate future growth.

FDOT Secretary Jared W. Perdue said the transportation relief is "truly needed." He added that the vision for these projects is a combination of local and state partnership.

Road improvement: Critical corridor: Marion County embarks on SW/NW 80th/70th Avenue improvement project

County Commission Chairman Craig Curry noted that Marion has more than 400,000 residents, and 200 or so are moving in every week. That kind of growth is reflected on I-75. More than 100,000 vehicles pass through Marion on the interstate each day, and 25% of them are big rigs.

He said the Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure program is "a game changer."

Lt. Patrick Riordan, spokesman for Florida Highway Patrol Troop B, which covers several counties including Marion, said at least once every nine days there's a total lane closure on I-75, and every 16 hours there's at least one lane closure due to a crash.

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Start dates set for I-75 and U.S. 301 South improvements