SW 49th Ave Corridor
SW 49th Ave Corridor
We’re building a multi-modal corridor along SW 49th Avenue to provide safer, more flexible travel options for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Where we started
Southwest 49th Avenue is a two-lane, undivided rural roadway without sidewalks and is a key north-south corridor west of I-75.
This roadway's current level of service is acceptable per guidelines set by the Florida Department of Transportation, but the roadway's capacity must be increased to prevent the decline of the roadway's level of service, which is estimated to classify as failing by 2040 if no improvements are made.
Economic, demographic, and traffic studies confirm the need for the improvements.
Where we're going
The south phase of the project consists of improvements from County Road 484 to SW 128th Street and will transform SW 49th Avenue from a two-lane, undivided roadway into a four-lane, divided roadwway with bicycle lanes. Improvements for this phase include: wider lanes for automotive traffic, a new, four-foot paved bike lane in each direction. These two directions are separated by a 24-foot raised graaed median with left-turn lanes at specific locations along the roadway.
The north phase of this project converts a two-lane roadway into a four-lane divided roadway from Marion Oaks Trail to SW 95th Street.
This project also includes the creation of a new, four-lane divided roadway connecting SW 95th Street and the SW 42nd Street flyover. Traffic congestion relief is anticiapted for I-75, SW 66th Street, SW 27th Avenue, and roads inthe surrounding areas.
When finished, this new north-south route will connect Marion Oaks Trail to the SW 42nd Street flyover, helping reduce local traffic use of I-75. It will also improve emergency response times and increase safety for nearby schools, neighborhoods, and the Cross-Florida Greenway.
More than roads
A critical but less visible part of this project is the installation of over 9,000 linear feet of stormwater piping. This underground infrastructure is carefully engineered to maintain proper slope and alignment, which ensures effective drainage and protects both the roadway and surrounding properties. Elevation changes, soil conditions, and existing utilities all add complexity to this process. If slopes are too flat, water can back up; if too steep, it can cause erosion or infrastructure damage. Getting this right is essential to the long-term success and resilience of the corridor.
Funding
This project is funded in part by the Penny Sales Tax, which voters approved to support infrastructure improvements across Marion County. Work began earlier this year, and a ribbon cutting is anticipated by the end of the year. View more road projects funded by the Penny Sales Tax here.
Diverging diamond interchange at I-75
Additionally, a future phase of regional improvement includes the construction of a diverging diamond interchange at SW 49th Street. This innovative design temporarily shifts both directions of traffic to the opposite side of the roadway to eliminate left turns in front of oncoming vehicles to significantly improve safety and reduce congestion.