SUMTER COUNTY, FL (352today) – The Sumter County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce the completion of construction on McNeill Drive and CR 470, marking a significant milestone in enhancing roadway safety, accessibility, and overall traffic flow for residents and visitors. The roadways will officially open for travel overnight on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
This Wednesday, a traffic shift will take place overnight to introduce travelers to the newly constructed section of CR 470, located west of Florida’s Turnpike, and McNeill Drive, located near Middleton. Currently, travelers are utilizing a temporary roadway just north of CR 470 as a connection route to Central Parkway. The new construction enables a continuous travel path, allowing drivers to proceed straight on CR 470 and access McNeil Drive directly, ultimately improving connectivity to Central Parkway and surrounding areas.
The project includes the installation of two roundabouts, multi-modal paths off McNeill Drive, designed for golf carts, bikers, and walkers, and improved access to The Villages Public Safety Fire Station 49. The enhancements were designed to support the growing needs of the community and provide a smoother, safer travel experience for everyone. Following its opening, Sumter County’s Public Works Department will transfer the management of McNeill Drive to The Villages Community Development Districts.
“Completing this project reflects our continued commitment to investing in infrastructure that directly benefits people in Sumter County,” said Shailesh Patel, Assistant PW Director – Construction Engineering & Inspection. “We appreciate the community’s patience during construction and are proud to deliver improvements that will serve this area for years to come.”
Construction originally began in September 2023 and was completed on schedule. Throughout the project, crews worked to minimize disruptions while maintaining a strong focus on safety for both drivers and workers. Travelers are encouraged to remain attentive to updated traffic patterns and signage as they navigate through the area.
For more information about this project or other infrastructure improvements in Sumter County, please visit SumterCountyFL.Gov/ProjectTracker.