The Marion County Office of the County Engineer will officially open the Belleview Beltway connecting State Road 35 (Baseline Road) and U.S. Highway 441 for public access during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. on Feb. 14.
This new, four-lane divided roadway spans approximately 5.2 miles and intersects County Road 25. The Belleview Beltway features a grassed median, sidewalks, traffic signals, drainage facilities, and paved shoulders for bike lanes. This thoroughfare improves capacity and reduces congestion in the southeastern portion of the county and is part of the Ocala/Marion County Transportation Planning Organization’s Long Range Transportation Plan.
The Belleview Beltway has transformed from an unfunded idea in the mid-1990s to a reality in 2017 with careful planning and a combination of funding sources. The total construction cost is approximately $15.34 million. Marion County allocated funds primarily from district three impact fees, the 2009 Transportation Bond and a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation, which reimburses 50 percent of the project’s construction costs.
For more information, contact the Office of the County Engineer at 352-671-8686.