Suncoast Parkway opens extension into Citrus County

After over two decades of waiting, state and local officials officially opened the $135 million Suncoast Parkway extension into Citrus County this week.

The 13-mile extension from U.S. 98 in northern Hernando County to State Road 44 in Lecanto connects Citrus County with the Tampa Bay region. The opening comes after plans were cut short in 2008 due to the recession. Construction restarted in 2013.

As for the future, additional construction is expected to start in early 2023 on the three-mile parkway extension to County Road 486, and eventually to U.S. 19 at Red Level north of Crystal River.

– Kelly Hayes, Extensive Enterprises Media