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.
Want to share?
Follow us on social media
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
September 22, 2020 – 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Virtual Task Force Meeting #8
Public Viewing Location #1, Plantation on Crystal River, 9301 West Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429
Public Viewing Location #2, Hilton Ocala, 3600 SW 36th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34474
September 23, 2020 – 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Community Open House, Tommy Usher Community Center, 506 SW 4th Avenue, Chiefland, FL 32626
October 21, 2020 – 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Task Force Meeting #9, Location To Be Determined
October 22, 2020 – 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Community Open House, Plantation on Crystal River, 9301 West Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429
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
Coronavirus pandemic underscores need for road projects
Point of View: Increasing access to broadband in rural communities will make our state stronger
New Florida toll roads: 3rd meeting focuses on automated traffic systems
Florida’s new toll roads project plows ahead with virtual meetings
First Amendment group opposes webinars on toll roads
Environmentalists Oppose Tying Broadband Expansion To Toll Roads
Jim Tatum: New roads being pushed at worst possible time
Transportation Funds Allocated to MCORES in Bill Signed June 9, 2020
Broadband expansion needed sooner than later
Toll road task forces offer webinars
State Makes Changes On Toll Road Sessions
Controversial toll road project funding is still intact amid $1 billion in state budget cuts
Ron DeSantis approved $738 million for Florida’s controversial new toll roads
Controversial Florida toll road project gets boost in trimmed budget
What’s next for the Florida panther: From COVID-19 to new toll roads and beyond
Put the brakes on MCORES toll roads
‘Hybrid’ meetings set for planned toll roads
EDITORIAL: Maybe put toll roads on hold
Task force members still confused about process, need for proposed toll roads
Point of View: Now is the time for M-CORES
Nature of Things: Toll-road task forces power ahead
M-CORES toll roads a big step forward for Florida
Alachua County rejects state’s plan for new toll roads
Guest opinion: Proposed roads will take their toll on Florida panther
State Continues ‘Hybrid’ Meetings On Toll Roads
These are the roads to Florida’s future
Task Forces On Proposed New Florida Toll Roads Meet This Week
Reason Foundation Study Shows the State Can Make Billions With 50-Year Lease of the Florida Turnpike
FDOT seeks input through hybrid means
New toll roads pose a threat to a less spoiled part of Florida | Commentary
State should address critic’s concerns over superhighway extensions, but not end projects
Tax group questions basis for Suncoast Connector
Kill these 3 toll roads to nowhere before they do real harm
New infrastructure is critical for Florida
Florida accused of push for ‘roads to nowhere’ under cover of pandemic