- Economy: Destruction of Historic Equine Farms.
- Safety: Increase in crime for Marion County by additional highway access from West to East.
- Land: Direct Impact on Northwest Marion County’s wildlife including federally protected species.
- Community: Increase in traffic, accidents, and insurance rates for Marion County.
- Lifestyle: Burden on residents’ peaceful way of life in Northwest Marion County & Equine Communities.
Resources | Links
Connector Objectors
Ocala Star Banner
–“County Commission slams Coastal Connector”
– “FDOT open to other Coastal Connector routes”
– “Equine industry leaders oppose Coastal Connector routes”
– “Horse farm owners say ‘Nay’ to Coastal Connector routes”
– “State gives first look at possible Coastal Connector highway routes”
– “Coastal Connector gets cold welcome in Dunellon”
– “Ocala residents express Coastal Connector concerns”
– “County to learn more about Coastal Connector”
– “Douglas Shearer: Coastal Connector plan using outdated assumptions”
Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' & Owners' Association
Member Motivator Blog
Additional News and Information
– Bay News 9-Citrus County BOCC opposes Coastal Connector
– Citrus County Resolution Coastal Connector
– Marion County Resolution Coastal Connector
Letters of Opposition
– A Letter from Adam Putnam, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services
– A Letter from Senator Dennis Baxley
– United Stated Equestrian Federation to FDOT
– “Chronicle should stand up for citizens” | Citrus Chronicle
– “A better path” | Ocala Star Banner
– FTBOA to Project Officials
– Live Oak International to Project Engineers
– R.L.R. Investments on behalf of the Robert’s family
Meeting Archive
Upcoming Meetings
Hernando Citrus Metro. Planning Organization
Hernando County Courthouse
20 North Main Street
Brooksville, FL 34601
FDOT presenting information regarding proposed Coastal Connector study.
Ocala Town Hall Meeting
Reilly Arts Center
500 Northeast 9th Street
Ocala, FL 34470
Residents are encouraged to attend and voice concerns.
Coastal Connector held a Corridor Alternatives Public Meeting on May 1, 2018 citing population growth, traffic congestion, truck traffic, tourism, and hurricane evacuation as reasons of need for their Next Generation Corridor. This informational meeting resulted in two groups, No Coastal Connector and Connector Objectors Facebook Group that instantly formed after the meeting and began getting information out there on how to stop this asphalt invasion. Through their efforts the online petition has reached 5,000 signatures. Ocala / Marion County residents and equine authorities alike are voicing their opinion and it is a resounding NO! Tammy Gantt of the FTBOA compiled an easy resource guide with all the information needed to contact any official connected to or that has a vote on this project.
While officials are touting a 2045 construction completion date, when pressed, some officials are confirming that Marion County could see construction within ten years while FDOT project manager, Bolan recently stressed that they are still in the planning process and that no funding is currently allocated for construction. Ocala / Marion County can say No! Turns out, we were not the first county approached with this Coastal Connector, Alachua and Levy were first approached and they both said, No! We can too. Marion County Commissioner Michelle Stone was quoted in the Ocala Star Banner telling the FDOT at the most recent planning workshop, “My direction to the staff would be these routes cannot be considered at all. Period.” Contact your area representatives to Save Ocala, especially, Governor Rick Scott and let them know you are a proud resident of Ocala / Marion County and you want to continue to live in The Horse Capital of the World.
Not sure how you’ll be affected by any of the potential routes? Click here or the photo below to see how the Coastal Connector may factor into your property, neighborhood, or commute.
