OCALA, FL (352today) – Ocala is getting a new gateway that will welcome travelers to the city.
The Ocala South Gateway at the 42nd Street flyover is set to welcome northbound traffic to Marion County with most construction work already underway.
Expect to encounter nighttime lane closures on I-75 through mid-November. These closures are planned for Sunday nights through early Friday mornings between 8 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. The closures will affect both southbound and northbound lanes just south of exit 350. The Ocala/Marion County Visitors & Convention Bureau (OMCVCB) notes that there won’t be any southbound lane closures on Sunday nights, and all lanes won’t be shut down at once.
On SW 43rd Street Road at the 42nd Street flyover in Ocala, the OMCVCB says that the outermost eastbound lane and sidewalk will be closed until mid-November. Lane closures are frequently updated at the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) road closure page.
Marion County, in partnership with the City of Ocala and FDOT, says that it is dedicated to making this project a success. The goal is to showcase the county’s unique charm to tourists passing through on I-75. This initiative is funded by the Tourist Development Tax, which is collected from visitors staying in Marion County for short periods.
The gateways are a large part of this project, and their construction wouldn’t be possible without tourism revenue, states the OMCVCB. They say that more than 1.4 million tourists visit Marion County each year, bringing in significant economic benefits. Kimley-Horn is overseeing the design and construction, Kenco Sign and Awning handled the county line markers, and Commercial Industrial Corporation is working on the south gateway.
OMCVCB says that the project should be complete by early 2025.