MARION COUNTY, FL (32today.com) – If you regularly travel State Road (SR) 40 in Marion County, you may want to give the state your input on its plans to widen the roadway.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will hold a public meeting regarding project plans on SR 40 from east of County Road (CR) 314A to SE 183rd Avenue Road (Levy Hammock Road) near Silver Springs.

The proposal would widen a 2.6-mile stretch of SR 40 from east of CR 314A to SE 183rd Avenue Road.
Courtesy: FDOT

The state says the purpose of the project is to increase capacity and improve safety and operations along a nearly 3-mile stretch of SR 40.

FDOT says the project plans to reconstruct the roadway to provide two travel lanes in each direction separated by a grassed median. Recommended improvements include dedicated left turns with median openings
throughout the project corridor, milling and resurfacing the roadway to extend the life of the corridor, as well as stormwater ponds and swales to collect stormwater runoff.

They say additional pedestrian and bicycle safety measures include inside and outside shoulders, a new sidewalk on the north side of the roadway and a new shared-use path on the south side of the roadway.

The proposed widening of SR 40 is currently in the design phase which is expected to be complete by spring 2025. Courtesy: FDOT

This project is in the design phase which is expected to be done by spring 2025 and cost roughly $2.6 million. Once approved, the construction and right of way are expected to cost more than $44 million combined.

The state is providing multiple ways for you to get information and provide feedback on the project including a virtual option.

FDOT is holding an in-person public meeting on Tuesday, February 27, at 5:30 p.m. at Forest Community Center, located at 777 S CR 314 A, Ocklawaha. You can show up anytime between 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to view a looping presentation and project displays, as well as speak with project team members.

If you can’t be there in-person, you can join by computer, tablet or cell phone. For this option, FDOT says advance registration is required. Register here. You’ll be able to view the presentation and submit comments.

If you can’t attend either meeting, you can view all meeting materials, including the presentation, and provide comment through the project website.