FDOT gives updates regarding Citrus County, FL road projects

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 7

Justin Hall, Director of Transportation for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 7, which includes Citrus County, Florida, was the keynote speaker at the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce luncheon, held at The Plantation on Crystal River on June 9, 2023.

Director Hall updated attendees on the progress of the many road projects, both ongoing and planned for Citrus County. Several long-term projects should be completed by the end of June 2023. Project details are listed below, obtained from a flyer prepared for the luncheon.

US 19 Resurfacing/Trail/Sidewalk - Hernando County to W. Green Acres St. (Homosassa)

Project Cost: $20.1 Million
Project Length: 6.8 miles
Project Began: January 2021
Expected Completion: Summer 2023
Contractor: Watson Civil Construction, Inc.
About the Project:
 Mill and resurface US 19/US 98 from the Hernando County line to W. Green Acres Street.
 Add a northbound right turn lane to eastbound Cardinal Street.
 Left turn lanes added at various median openings.
 10 foot wide multi use trail constructed on the east side of US 19.
 5 foot wide sidewalk built on the west side of the corridor.
 Drainage improvements.

US 19 Widening - W. Green Acres Street to S. Jump Court (Homosassa)

Project Cost: $32.7 Million
Project Length: 2.1 miles
Project Began: November 2016
Expected Completion: Summer 2023
Contractor: Nelson Construction
About the Project
 Widened US 19 from four lanes to a six lane divided highway.
 Constructed bike lanes and paved shoulders.
 Built a shared use path on the east side of the corridor.
 Built a sidewalk on the west side of the corridor.
 Drainage improvements to reduce flooding potential.
 Upgraded traffic signalization.

US 19 Widening - S. Jump Court (Homosassa) to W. Fort Island Trail (Crystal River)

Project Cost: $52.6 Million
Project Length: 4.7 miles
Project Began: November 2018
Expected Completion: Early 2024
Contractor: PCS Civil, Inc.
About the Project
 Widen US 19 from four lanes to a six lane divided highway.
 Build a 10 foot wide multi use trail shared use path on the east side of the corridor.
 Build 5 foot wide sidewalk along the west side of the corridor.
 Upgraded traffic signalization
 Construct bike lanes and paved shoulders.
 Drainage improvements.

SR 44 Resurfacing - from US 19 to NE 10th Ave. (Crystal River)

Project Cost: $3.1 Million
Project Length: 0.6 mile
Project Began: November 2022
Expected Completion: June 2023
Contractor: C.W. Roberts Contracting, Inc.
About the Project
 Milled and resurfaced SR 44 between US 19 and NE 10th Ave.
 New traffic signal at NE 8th Ave. (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.) activated on March 1, 2023.
 Improvements to signalized intersection at US 19.
 Increased bike lane width to 5 feet.
 Added an 8 foot sidewalk to the north side of the roadway.

Other Construction Projects Coming Soon

SR 44
Resurfacing from Norvell Bryant Hwy to west of N Lopp Point (2.25 miles) is expected to begin construction in Summer 2023

US 41
Widening from SR 44 to the Withlacoochee Trail Bridge (one mile) is expected to begin construction in Summer 2023

US 41 from SR 44 to SR 200
 SR 44 to SR 200 the project will reconstruct the roadway and widen it to 4 lanes.
 SR 44 to the Withlacoochee Trail Bridge will include bike lanes and sidewalks.
 The US 41 widening project has been broken up into 6 segments:
        The southern 3 segments are funded for construction.
        The northern segments are partially designed and awaiting funding for right or way and construction.

Suncoast Parkway (SR 589) Extension to US 19

Suncoast Parkway 2 will serve expected future increases in traffic due to development throughout the region and provide a bypass route for through traffic, relieving congestion from other State and County north / south roadways.
 A four lane (two lanes in each direction) toll facility.
 Approximately thirteen miles in Citrus County.
 Segment 3A will extend the Parkway from CR 486 and build a partial interchange at CR 495
 Segment 3B will extend the Parkway over CR 495, continuing north and ending at US 19.

Suncoast Parkway (SR 589) Extension to US 19

This thirteen mile portion of the Suncoast Parkway 2 is in the design phase and will consist of the following:
 Completion of the full interchange at CR 486 to accommodate northbound traffic.
 New interchanges at CR 495 and US 19; related drainage, lighting, highway signing, traffic signalization, guardrail, and sidewalks
 Continuation of the Suncoast Trail, part of Florida’s Statewide Greenways and Trails System
 Realignment of W. Dunnellon Road (CR 488) to allow for a new interchange at SR 589 / US 19.
 Suncoast Parkway is fully funded, and construction is programmed in three phases:
        442764-1 includes Phase 2, between SR 44 and CR 486 (Construction began in FY 2023)
        442764-2 includes Phase 3A, between CR 486 and CR 495 (Construction Letting anticipated in FY 2025)
        442764-3 includes Phase 3B, between CR 495 and US 19 (Construction Letting anticipated in FY 2026)

SR 44 (Gulf to Lake Highway) from S. Croft Avenue to US 41 Access Management Study

• Reviewing safety of existing two way left turn lanes throughout the corridor.
• Considering median modifications that could impact access.
• Median modifications would be communicated through a future
public meeting.

US 19 Evacuation Route Traffic Control in Citrus County

FDOT has installed cellular communications at all signalized intersections on US 19 in Citrus County to allow for evacuation signal timing plans to be implemented when congestion begins to develop during emergencies. CCTV cameras are also installed at 8 locations to monitor traffic for real time signal timing adjustments as well as sharing monitoring access with Citrus County stakeholders. The US 19 locations are listed below:
HOMOSASSA
 US 98 Communications and CCTV
 Cypress Blvd. Communications
 Cardinal St. Communications
 Yulee Dr. Communications
 Halls River Rd. Communications and CCTV
 Homosassa Trail Communications
CRYSTAL RIVER
 Ozello Trail Communications and CCTV
 Venable St. Communications
 Ft. Island Trail Communications and CCTV
 Kings Bay Dr. Communications and CCTV
 SR 44 Communications and CCTV
 Citrus Ave. Communications and CCTV
 NW 3rd Ave. Communications
 NW 6th Ave. Communications
 Turkey Oak Dr. Communications and CCTV
 Seven Rivers Hospital Communications
 Power Line St. Communications
 Dunnellon Rd. Communications

Operational Improvements for Freight Mobility

• Widening to improve the curb radius at SR 44 (Main Street) and CR 581 (Pleasant Grove Road) in Citrus County near Inverness
• Construction is expected to be completed in fall 2023.

Other Safety Enhancements

Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs)
• Upgraded controllers at 48 intersections
• $32.4 million

Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons
• 4 RRFBs at 2 trail crossing locations:
• Withlacoochee State Trail at Moss Oak Drive and E. Turner Camp Road

Signing and Pavement Markings
• Addressing lane departure issues along 3 corridors:
       • CR 48 (Orange Ave/Duval Island Dr) from S. Bedfored Rd. to S. Crescent Loop
       • CR 39 (Istachatta Rd) from E. Atkinson Ct. to E. Bushnell Rd.
       • CR 491 (Lecanto Hwy./Citrus Way from W. Honeybee Ln. to Carl G. Rose Hwy.

FDOT District 7 Enhanced Law Enforcement Engagement Program (ELEE)

• Round 1: February 2022 to August 2022
• 22 Participating Agencies in 5 Counties (including Citrus County) with over 11,000 Enforcement hours donated
• Used incentives like Speed Trailer, Lights Tower, Speed Radars
• Round 2: April 2023 to January 2024

Transportation Talks in Inverness

 SR 200 from E. Summit Lane to E. Spruce Dr. - $6 million
 SR 44 from S. Tighe Dr to Riverside Lodge - $11 million
 SR 44 West of Downtown
 SR 44 through Downtown
 SR 44 East of Downtown

Community Outreach Program Safety Focus

• Geofencing: US 19 within a mile radius of Cardinal Avenue (Homosassa).
       • Messaging : Slow Down in Work Zones.
       • Date Ran:
               • 1/24/2022 to 2/24/2022
               • 4/01/2022 to 4/30/2022
               • 7/01/2022 to 7/31/2022
• Total Impressions: 4,434,738
• Total Surveys Taken: 877
• Total Safety Messages/Lens Cloths Mailed: 103

• Teen Traffic Safety Education Program
       • Citrus High School, 600 W. Highland Blvd, Inverness.
               •Date: 10/21/2021
       • Crystal River High School, 3195 Crystal River High Drive, Crystal River,
               •Dates: 11/19/2021, 1/10/2022, 5/18/2023 and 5/19/2023.

If you have questions, contact Justin Hall, FDOT District 7, by email at Justin.hall@dot.state.fl.us, by phone at (813) 975-6000, or visit the agency's website at www.fdottampabay.com.