The developer of a new RaceTrac received approval from city officials to realign a busy intersection in west Ocala with the installation of a new roundabout.
The developer’s agreement with B I Realty, LLC, and RaceTrac, Inc., to realign SW 40th Avenue was approved during the Ocala City Council’s regular meeting on Tuesday, February 18.
The group will realign SW 40th Avenue on the south side of State Road 40 with NW 40th Avenue, north of SR 40 to create a roundabout and produce more efficient “north-south traffic flow on SW/NW 40th Avenue,” according to a city staff report.
Additionally, a signalized intersection will be installed at SR 40, eliminating the left turns from either SR 40 or 40th Avenue.
The approval comes just a few months after the city unanimously approved ordinances to clear the way for the future RaceTrac near the proposed roundabout. That gas station is located at 4040 W Silver Springs Boulevard in west Ocala, close to Interstate 75. The site previously featured a motel.
The agreement calls for RaceTrac to design and construct specific intersection, road, drainage, and utility improvements connected with the site in west Ocala. The proposed Developer’s Agreement also requires the city to reimburse RaceTrac, Inc., for the roadway improvements, design, and construction costs the company incurs.
Additionally, the agreement calls for RaceTrac to relocate the city’s existing lift station to improve the proposed road design.
The city will share 50 percent of the cost of the lift station relocation with the company, according to the report.
The project, which has been one in the works for multiple years, is a collaboration between the county, state, and city.
A conceptual plan for the new RaceTrac shows that the roundabout will be located just southeast of the new facility. The gas station will feature a 6,008-square-foot convenience store, 16 standard gasoline pumps, five “high-powered diesel pumps” with “one-way access,” around 34 parking stalls, and a stormwater pond.