Marion County is once again turning its attention to the stretch of road locals know well, and often not fondly. County Road 484, particularly near Interstate 75, has become less of a drive and more of a daily negotiation, with growth in south Marion County steadily adding to the congestion.
Now, county officials are inviting the public into the conversation.
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners will host a public meeting on March 31 as part of an ongoing Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study examining potential improvements along CR 484. The study area runs from Marion Oaks Boulevard east to County Road 475A, a corridor that has taken on more traffic as new homes and businesses continue to fill in the surrounding area.
At the center of the discussion is a proposal to widen the roadway from four lanes to six. Plans under review also include possible intersection upgrades, multi-modal options for pedestrians and cyclists, and drainage retention improvements.
The meeting will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Marion Oaks Community Center, 294 Marion Oaks Lane in Ocala. A formal presentation is scheduled for 5:45 p.m., with project representatives available throughout the evening to answer questions and collect feedback.
County officials say the meeting is intended to give residents and stakeholders a chance to review the proposed changes and weigh in, whether through conversation or written comment cards.
For many who travel the corridor daily, the study represents a long-awaited step toward addressing a roadway that has struggled to keep pace with the area’s growth. The outcome of the PD&E process will help guide how, and how soon, improvements move forward along one of Marion County’s busiest east-west routes.
