Florida Turnpike Enterprise details Suncoast Parkway progress; cites $20M in Citrus County projects
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Summary
The Florida Turnpike Enterprise told the Hernando–Citrus MPO Nov. 6 that roughly $20 million in major projects are expected in Citrus County, and provided an update on Suncoast Parkway phases that will create an 83‑mile corridor when complete.
Katina Caviclease, Turnpike Planning Manager for the Florida Turnpike Enterprise, presented the turnpike’s tentative five‑year work program and a Suncoast Parkway update to the Hernando–Citrus MPO on Nov. 6.
Caviclease said the Turnpike expects about $20 million in major projects in Citrus County and described recent progress on the Suncoast Parkway extension: a 3‑mile phase opened in August (about 500 days ahead of schedule), phase 3a is under construction and phase 3b is expected to begin in 2026. With the planned segments in place the turnpike anticipates an approximately 83‑mile corridor that the agency says will improve regional mobility and provide evacuation capacity during emergencies. Caviclease also noted the turnpike’s trail‑building partnership with counties, with local governments assuming control of trails adjacent to the toll facility.
Caviclease emphasized safety outreach related to teen driving and said the turnpike will accept questions from MPO members and staff about local traffic impacts or ridership modeling.
MPO members thanked the Turnpike Enterprise for the update and asked follow‑up questions about ridership and traffic patterns; Caviclease offered to provide more detailed modeling for specific segments on request.