Sumter County officials have announced the completion of construction on McNeill Drive and County 470 in the southern end of the The Villages.

A traffic shift was set to take place Wednesday night to introduce travelers to the newly constructed section of County Road 470, located west of Florida’s Turnpike, and McNeill Drive, located near Middleton. Travelers have been utilizing a temporary roadway just north of County Road 470 as a connection route to Central Parkway. The new construction enables a continuous travel path, allowing drivers to proceed straight on County Road 470 and access McNeil Drive directly, ultimately improving connectivity to Central Parkway and surrounding areas.

The project includes the installation of two roundabouts, multi-modal paths off McNeill Drive, designed for golf carts, bikers, and walkers, and improved access to The Villages Public Safety Fire Station 49.

“Completing this project reflects our continued commitment to investing in infrastructure that directly benefits people in Sumter County,” said Shailesh Patel, Assistant PW Director – Construction Engineering & Inspection. “We appreciate the community’s patience during construction and are proud to deliver improvements that will serve this area for years to come.”

Construction originally began in September 2023 and was completed on schedule. Throughout the project, crews worked to minimize disruptions while maintaining a strong focus on safety for both drivers and workers. Travelers are encouraged to remain attentive to updated traffic patterns and signage as they navigate through the area.