THE VILLAGES, FL (352today.com) – Sumter County has implemented a study, one that would provide improvement alternatives and enhance traffic operations at the intersection of a well-traveled roadway, CR 466 and U.S. Hwy. 301.
Among the intersection improvements being looked at are roadway widening and the addition of travel and or turn lanes, which will have to meet Sumter County’s level of standards.
It was through a traffic analysis, that it was determined that the existing intersection will require improvements to accommodate projected traffic volumes through 2035, due largely to the area’s exponential growth, in order to meet the county’s level of standards. The analysis also determined that an additional travel lane is needed on CR 466 going both eastbound and westbound.
It was determined through the analysis that to accommodate projected traffic volumes through the year 2045, additional improvements beyond those for 2035 will be necessary. U.S. Hwy 301 will have to be widened with an additional travel lane being added for northbound and southbound traffic. Additionally, a free flow right turn lane will be needed from northbound U.S. Hwy. 301 to eastbound CR 466.
The proposed build CR 466 widening alternatives are:
- Widen CR 466 along both the north and south sides of the roadway.
- Widen CR 466 along the north side only.
- Widen CR 466 along the south side only.
Only one alternative has been developed for U.S. Hwy. 301
- Widen U.S. Hwy. 301 along both the east and west sides of the roadway. This alternative with the three CR 466 alternatives would be required to accommodate the projected traffic volumes through the year 2045.
Preliminary cost estimates have been developed for the proposed improvements, and residents feedback and input is welcome on the alternatives that have been proposed and the projects to improve the intersection.
Once the public input has been received the recommendations will be presented to the Sumter County Board of County Commissioners. The board will then decide what alternative is best and whether the project should go forward.