Project Name: Northern Turnpike Connector
Project Website: https://floridamcores.com/northern-turnpike-connector-task-force/
Impacted Counties: Citrus, Levy, Marion, Sumter
Condemning Authority: FDOT
The Northern Turnpike Connector Corridor Study has begun. The route for this project is expected to be 40 miles long. Property acquisition is tentatively scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2021.
On May 17, 2019, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 7068, creating the Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance (M-CORES) Program within the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in order to study the feasibility of three different regional corridors: The Suncoast Connector, The Northern Turnpike Connector, and The Southwest-Central Florida Connector. The three roads combined would be approximately 330 miles long.
The stated objective is to advance the construction of regional corridors that are intended to accommodate multiple modes of transportation and multiple types of infrastructure. This would include toll roads, trails, freight and passenger rail, and public transit; and multiple types of infrastructure, such as broadband, water and sewer services. FDOT is expected to perform a project evaluation, including a full Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study.
FDOT convened separate task forces to study each corridor. The first meeting was held on August 27, 2019 at the Tampa Convention Center. The task forces will make recommendations regarding the potential economic and environmental impacts of the corridor and other factors as specified in the M-CORES legislation. Each task force was initially expected to issue a final report by October 1, 2020. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the task forces have been given an extension through November 15, 2020 to complete their final reports. Project design is scheduled to begin immediately after the task forces issue their reports. FDOT will perform a project evaluation according to its own rules, policies, and procedures.
If feasible, construction is expected to begin no later than December 31, 2022.
While no route has been finalized, an option to located the proposed road along existing corridors has been released.
Task Force Meeting #5 – March 25, 2020 Date TBD- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Hilton Ocala, 3600 SW 36th Ave., Ocala, FL 34474
Corridor Community Open House – March 26, 2020 Date TBD- 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm – College of Central Florida Levy Campus, 15390 NW Hwy 19, Chiefland, FL 32626
Task Force Meeting #6 – April 29, 2020 – 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – College of Central Florida Citrus Learning Center, 3800 S. Lecanto Hwy, Lecanto, FL 34461
Community Open House – May 5, 2020 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm – Wildwood Community Center, 6500 Powell Rd., Wildwood, FL 34785
Community Open House – May 7, 2020 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm – Hilton Ocala, 3600 SW 36th Ave., Ocala, FL 34474
Task Force Meeting #7 – June 3, 2020 – 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Sumter County Fairgrounds, Hall 5, 7620 SR 471, Bushnell, FL 33513
Corridor Community Open House – June 4, 2020 – 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm – Citrus County Building Alliance Banquet Hall, 1196 S. Lecanto Hwy, Lecanto, FL 34461
Task Force Meeting #8 – July 9, 2020 – 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Hilton Ocala, 3600 SW 36th Ave., Ocala, FL 34474
Task Force Meeting #9 – September 2, 2020 – 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – College of Central Florida Citrus Learning Center, 3800 S. Lecanto Hwy, Lecanto, FL 34461
Florida Transportation Commission Presentation – July 2020
Task force meeting video 08/27/2019
Task force meeting video 10/22/2019 part 1
Task force meeting video 10/22/2019 part 2
Task force meeting video 12/18/2019 part 1
Task force meeting video 12/18/2019 part 2
No “no-build” option reveals intent of toll roads
Who spoke up for adding 300 miles to Florida’s toll roads?
Routes for 3 new Florida tolls road to be unveiled in January
Toll road routes could emerge in early 2020
Extension of Florida Turnpike will have profound impact on Sumter County
DeSantis approved these toll roads
Roads taking a toll on task force members as some struggle to understand need, origination
Task forces will get more scrutiny over toll roads
$90 million proposed M-Cores budget not guaranteed
Bill Galvano: Toll road funding on track despite opposition
Debate set to continue over new Florida Toll Roads
Project Toll Road path February 11, 2020?
Extension could bring benefit to Lake Panasoffkee
M-CORES could revolutionize state’s transportation system
Money for broadband access near toll roads advances in Senate
Task force meets February 12, 2020
Task force meeting will plan for new roads
Toll Roads to Avoid Sensitive Areas; Environmentalists Not Swayed
Frustration In Florida As State Announces Toll Road Development In Rural Areas
Broadband projects could be linked to toll roads
Florida House backs broadband expansion effort
Will new toll roads bring economic prosperity? It’s too soon to tell, but sides are drawn
Florida lawmakers quietly pave way for new toll roads this session
Toll road report could get extension through 11/15/2020
Want to share?
Follow us on social media