Governor Ron DeSantis and local officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for new auxiliary lanes along Interstate 75 and the 49th Street interchange, which will be home to the first Buc-ee’s in Marion County.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held just outside of the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in southwest Ocala, on Tuesday.
“Today, I announced the groundbreaking of over 31 miles of new auxiliary lanes from State Road 44 in Wildwood to State Road 326 in Ocala on I-75. This important congestion relief project—part of our Moving Florida Forward Initiative—has been fully funded and is on track to be completed 10-15 years ahead of schedule,” according to a statement from the Governor.
The governor was joined by dozens of local officials, including all of the Marion County Board of County Commissioners, county staff, and community members for the ceremony.
The project will add auxiliary lanes in each direction, will provide congestion relief, and will reduce hurricane evacuation times that skyrocketed in October 2024.
The interchange will also be home to Ocala’s first Buc-ee’s travel center location, which received approval to move forward in 2023.
The new, 80,000-square-foot Buc-ee’s travel center will be located directly east of I-75 and 1.75 miles south of W Highway 326, on a 32.83-acre portion of Baldwin Angus Ranch.
It will include three fuel canopies with 120 vehicle fueling stations; 750 regular parking spaces with 28 electric vehicle parking spaces, 21 handicapped parking spaces, 11 recreation vehicle/bus parking spaces, and 8 diesel exhaust fluid positions; and a 125-foot-tall sign along I-75 to entice customers.
Founded in 1982, in addition to their enormity, Buc-ee’s locations are known for their clean restrooms, branded clothing, and large selection of foods including Texas-style brisket, nuts, jerky, and Beaver Nuggets (caramel popcorn).
The improvements along the interstate follow months of state-funded projects to improve Interstate 75 throughout Ocala and Marion County.
That includes the addition of equestrian-themed gateway signage that is nearly complete, the installation of county markers, the renovation of a rest area, and several improvements made to the highway (i.e., resurfacing, etc.).