Suncoast Parkway Extension opens between US 98 in Homosassa and SR 44 in Lecanto
Facebook photo by Charles Lee, opening day of Suncost Parkway extension.
Ocoee, Florida - Drivers traveling through Citrus County, Florida now have a new option to use for traveling to and from the Tampa Bay area, with the extension of the Suncoast Parkway, also known as State Road (SR) 589. The road opened on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022 with a ribbon-cutting event.
This 13-mile limited-access roadway, built by Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (FTE), under the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), extends the existing Suncoast Parkway northward for 13 miles from US 98 to SR 44 in Lecanto, Florida.
"The Suncoast Parkway serves millions of drivers every year – offering a safe, efficient, and convenient travel option for residents and visitors," said FDOT Assistant Secretary Will Watts, P.E. "This extension provides additional transportation infrastructure to support Florida's continued growth and reflects the department's unwavering commitment to the people of West Central Florida."
“The Suncoast Parkway extension is a substantial piece to building regional connectivity in West Central Florida, specifically for the residents in Hernando and Citrus counties,” said FTE Executive Director and CEO Nicola Liquori. “The extension increases options for residents and also for the millions of visitors our state sees each year.”
The project also expanded the popular, award-winning Suncoast Trail from Hernando County into Citrus County, ending at SR 44. The trail is part of the Florida Greenways and Trails System, which provides for conservation of native habitats and species in addition to outdoor recreation. Completion of the Suncoast Trail is expected in Spring 2022.
To learn more about the project, visit floridasturnpike.com/turnpike-projects/featured-projects/suncoastparkway2/.
Tolls will be collected electronically using a SunPass or an interoperable transponder. For more information about SunPass, visit SunPass.com.