Road improvements in the works for Silver Springs Blvd.

File photo: Motorists drive on East Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala, Fla. on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Improvements are in the works for Silver Springs Boulevard, from Downtown Ocala all the way to the Lake County border. The state is planning three projects to resurface and revitalize over 32 miles of one of Marion County’s major roadways.

The Florida Department of Transportation offered crucial details on two of the three projects during a presentation on June 13. The three projects will resurface Silver Springs Boulevard, also called State Road 40, from Pine Avenue to Northeast 64^th Avenue.

FDOT aims to extend the life of the roadway through these projects, in addition to updating pedestrian curb ramps to keep up with Americans with Disability Act (ADA) standards.

Project No. 1

The first project will improve 2.25 miles of Silver Springs Boulevard, spanning from Pine Avenue to Northeast 25th Avenue, beginning on the north side of Downtown Ocala.

Currently in this area, specifically from Pine Avenue to Osceola Avenue, there are two 11-foot travel lanes in each direction, a 12- to 25-foot-wide raised median in the middle, and a 5- to 6-foot-wide sidewalk on both sides of the roadway.

From Osceola Avenue to Northeast 25th Avenue, there are currently four travel lanes, with two 12-foot-wide lanes in each direction. There is a two-way left turn lane in the middle, and 5-foot-wide sidewalks on both sides of the roadway.

The project is intended not to change the roadway in either of these areas, only to improve its condition. The entire corridor will be repaved and curb ramps will be upgraded to meet ADA standards, according to FDOT.

“Design is underway and is anticipated to be complete in late 2025 at an estimated cost of $1.1 million,” said the FDOT project team during the presentation. “All work will be done within the existing right-of-way. Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2026 at an estimated cost of $4.9 million.”

Project No. 2

The second project will improve 4.2 miles of Silver Springs Boulevard, spanning from Northeast 25^th Avenue to Northeast 64^th Avenue. This stretch of the roadway will also be resurfaced and have the curb ramps updated to meet ADA standards.

Currently in this portion of the roadway, there are four travel lanes, with two 12-foot-wide lanes in each direction and a median of varying widths. There are 5-foot-wide sidewalks on both sides of the roadway.

“There are no changes on this corridor; however, the entire corridor will be repaved. Sidewalk will be reconstructed to fill in small gaps on both the eastbound and westbound lanes, and curb ramps will be upgraded to meet ADA standards,” said the project team.

Design for the project is in progress and is anticipated to be complete in summer 2025 at an estimated cost of $2.05 million.

All work for this portion will also be done within the existing right-of-way. Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2026 and cost about $7.9 million, according to FDOT.

Project No. 3

The third project on Silver Springs Boulevard will cover the largest portion of the roadway spanning from Northeast 64^th Avenue to the Lake County boundary.

The project will improve 25.7 miles of the roadway and is anticipated to cost $1.95 million for the design stage and $26.2 million for construction, according to FDOT.

“The purpose of this project is to mill and resurface State Road (S.R.) 40 from NE 64th Avenue to the Lake County line in Marion County. In addition to repaving the travel lanes and shoulders, the project plans to install audible vibratory treatment to alert drivers if the vehicle travels outside of the lane, and pedestrian upgrades at the intersection of S.R. 40 and NE County Road 314 are also planned,” according to FDOT.

Members of the community are encouraged to offer feedback and comments to the project team members for the Silver Springs Boulevard resurfacing project. To submit comments online, visit

cflroads.com/project/450952-1 or cflroads.com/project/450951-1