The installation of a gateway signage project on Interstate 75 in Marion County is slated to begin this summer, and motorists can expect temporary lane closures.
The south gateway on I-75, which is funded entirely by tourist development tax revenue from visitors, will be installed at the 42nd Street flyover to welcome northbound motorists to the county. According to the Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau, most on-site construction will begin this fall, with the project eyeing an early 2025 completion date.
Various aesthetic features for the gateway are currently being constructed off-site, and they will eventually be transported to the flyover for installation.
By mid-summer, residents and visitors may encounter temporary lane closures on I-75 as the outer towers of the gateway featuring the Marion County logo are installed.
During the fall months, additional temporary lane closures are expected as construction crews work on the bridge over the interstate.
The Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau stated in a media release that the gateway project “implements the vision of the Marion County Board of County Commissioners to introduce tourists driving through Marion County on Interstate 75 to the county’s unique character.”
The project consists of two county line markers, which were installed in late 2023, along with two representative gateways. One of those gateways is at the 42nd Street flyover, and the other is located at the future interchange just north of Ocala, where the highly anticipated Buc-ee’s Ocala Travel Center is planned.
The gateway project is being funded by the Tourist Development Tax, which is paid by visitors who stay in lodging in Marion County for six months or less. Each year, more than 1.4 million tourists visit Marion County, generating an economic impact of over $1 billion.