Suncoast Parkway 2 from US 98 to State Road 44 DRMP, Inc. and Dewberry Project Location: Citrus and Hernando counties, Florida
Project Start Date: 12 February 2018 Project Completion: 28 February 2022 Project Team: DRMP and Dewberry
Project Summary: Tourism, residential development, and flourishing new businesses in Florida’s rural Citrus and Hernando counties outpaced the effectiveness of the counties’ connector roads, which led to the design and construction of the Suncoast Parkway 2, State Road 589 Expansion Project. This $135 million Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise project included the design of 13 miles of a 4-lane All Electronic Toll (AET) facility that increased capacity to ease traffic congestion, improved safety, added interchanges for access, and included several wildlife crossings for safe passage of migratory animals and a multi-use trail for public recreation. But, not without challenges. The 2008 economic recession shelved the project, and Tropical Storm Debby in 2012 caused a portion of State Road 589 south of US 98 to flood, requiring a fast-tracked design of an emergency drainage system to withstand a 100-year rain event. The phased project spans Citrus and Hernando counties from US 98 to State Road 44. The design included 15 bridges and interchanges, which improved accessibility, alleviated capacity, and provided mobility for a good portion of northern Hernando and southern Citrus counties, ultimately creating regional connectivity in West Florida. To engage stakeholders, the project included public participation on the entire extension. The project traversed through heavily wooded areas and skirted subdivisions. A unique aesthetic feature of the project was designing a vertical profile that blends with the natural rolling terrain of the project area. The 4-lane limited access facility also has the ability to be expanded to eight lanes. Overall, the project collectively required extensive coordination between regulatory agencies, permitting, and the public to keep it moving forward. Segments 1 and 2 of the project (13 miles) were completed in February 2022. Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise continues to plan and design to complete the full 27 miles of the Suncoast Parkway 2.
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csengineermag.com YEA 2022
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