On August 4, Marion County awarded a $22.9 million contract to Art Walker Construction to widen and improve approximately 3.3 miles of NW 70th/80th Avenue (Segment 3) from just north of SR 40 to just south of US 27.
But the road corridor does not stop there, as the Segment 3 project is part of the 10.5-mile SW/NW 80th/70th Avenue widening project extending from SW 90th Street to about 1/2 mile north of US 27. The overall project is projected to take approximately 10 years to complete.
The road corridor is planned to extend even further to a 13.6-mile corridor that combines the SW/NW 80th/70th Avenue improvements with a new road that connects CR 225A to the new I-75 interchange at NW 49th Street.
Together, these projects will create an additional north-south and east-west route connecting northwest Marion County with I-75.
Check out the aerial view and graphic representation of the planned four-laning of SW/NW 80th/70th Avenue from SW 90th Street to just north of US Hwy 27.
Construction on Segment 3 is expected to start in 45 days and will be completed in about a year and a half. The bid award of $22.9 Million for the 3.3-mile segment was estimated to cost $6.9 Million a mile.
“That is a very, very good bid and I’ve even had some other agencies reach out to me congratulating us on the low bid that we received,” said Steven Cohoon, County Engineer. “That’s $3.6 Million below the next lowest bid.”
How will these roads impact the Farmland Preservation Area and CR 225A?
- New Road Connecting CR 225A to NW 49th Street I-75 Interchange
- CR 225A to be Widened up to about NW 44th Lane
These new and improved roads are not inside the Farmland Preservation Area. However, CR 225A will be widened to four lanes with a terminus near NW 44th Lane, approximately one mile south of the Farmland Preservation Area boundary, which begins just north of NW 62nd Place at Ocala Park Estates.
This raises an important concern – even though the four-lane road project does not currently enter the Farmland Preservation Area – CR 225A is lined with horse farms and agricultural properties between the proposed terminus and the Farmland Preservation Area.
- For Horse Farms Forever, the key concern is the long-term impact of increased development pressure along the rural edge of the Farmland Preservation Area.
- Another concern is what happens when NW/SW 70/80th Avenue – a two-lane rural road becomes a four-lane divided highway and major arterial carrying substantially more traffic. What impact would that have on the horse farms along the road?
150% Traffic Increase
According to the Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) prepared by Guerra Development Corporation, the daily traffic for the SW/NW 80th/70th Avenue project is projected to increase from 14,600 to 37,500 vehicles—an increase of approximately 150%.
The SW/NW 80th/70th Avenue project is a 10.5-mile, three-phase project expected to be completed over approximately 10 years, according to the PER.
The larger 13.6-mile road corridor includes a new roadway connecting to the planned I-75 interchange at NW 49th Street and NW 44th Avenue, extending the overall corridor to approximately 13.6 miles. The project is being completed in phases, and Marion County has not established a single completion date for the entire corridor. Individual sections are moving into construction, while other segments remain in design and right-of-way acquisition.
The Office of the County Engineer provided a list of all the projects that make up the future widening loop connecting I-75 (diamond interchange), the new NW 49th Street Road, the NW/SW 70th/80th Avenue Corridor, and SW 38th Street.
SW 80th Ave Segment 1
From SW 90th Street to 0.5 miles north of SW 38th St
Phase 1A is currently in construction. Phase 1B is expected to begin in September/October 2026. Construction is expected to be completed by 3rd-4th quarter of 2028.
SW 80th Ave Segment 2
From 0.5 miles north of SW 38th St to W Hwy 40
Project is currently in design with construction planned to begin in the 4th quarter of 2027.
SW 80th Ave Segment 3
From W Hwy 40 to N US Hwy 27
Project is currently in pre-construction with an expected start of September/October 2026. Construction is expected to be completed in the 2nd/3rd quarter of 2028.
SW 38th /40th Street
From SW 80th Ave to SW 43rd Ct.
Project is currently in final design. Construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027. Construction is expected to be completed in the 2nd/3rd quarter of 2028.
NW 49th/35th Street Phase 3
From NW HWY 225A to NW 44th Ave (where the FDOT diamond interchange will connect).
Project is currently in final design. Construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027.
NW 49th/35th Street Phase 3 Roundabout
The county is evaluating a design alternative for a roundabout at NW Highway 225A and NW 49th Street/NW 44th Lane. Right-of-way acquisition continues for the new four-lane road from County Road 225A to NW 44th Avenue.
