ROYAL, Fla.—FDOT is pausing their Northern Turnpike Extension Project. This comes after residents of Sumter County rallied together last month asking the agency and the county to look for other options. The proposed project would have cut through small towns, including Royal, a historically black community. But many residents said this is only just the beginning.


What You Need To Know

  • FDOT announced its Florida Turnpike expansion, which upset several Marion and Sumter Co. residents

  • Several Royal community members, as well as neighboring affected communities, came together on July 26th to let their voices be heard

  • FDOT announced they’re pausing the project. Instead, the agency is looking at expanding I-75, something the community recommended instead of the Turnpike

Laqueta Davis has lived in the town of Royal for 30 years. She can’t think of a better place to live.

“This is beautiful country land. I was raised here in Sumter County. I just love the country life,” said Davis.

When FDOT announced its Florida Turnpike expansion, cutting through her town, potentially displacing her neighbors, she knew she couldn’t just sit around and wait for something to happen. Several Royal community members, as well as neighboring affected communities, came together on July 26th to let their voices be heard.

Now, FDOT announced they’re pausing the project. Instead, the agency is looking at expanding I-75, something the community recommended instead of the Turnpike. But Davis told Spectrum News the fight isn’t over.

“We haven’t won the war, we’ve won this battle. I like it’s not over. We still have to be consistent, we have to still come together, we still have to stand for what we believe in,” said Davis.

Davis said FDOT’s language still leaves room for future expansion projects and how the Florida Turnpike project isn’t dead, but paused. She’s urging Marion and Sumter County residents to stay on top of the issue and get out to the polls and vote.