Crystal River, FL – The city of Crystal River is seeking plans and funding for an improvement to the intersection at Turkey Oak Drive, as the Suncoast Parkway extension is expected to bring increased traffic to the area. At the April 13, 2026 City Council meeting, Mayor Joe Meek said the issue is already on the radar of the Hernando/Citrus Metropolitan Planning Organization, but he wants consensus from the council on what improvements the city should pursue.
The intersection of Citrus Avenue and Turkey Oak Drive has long been identified as a bottleneck, and leaders say it will only worsen once the parkway begins feeding vehicles onto U.S. 19 and into the city. Meek attended meetings of the Hernando/Citrus Metropolitan Planning Organization and wants to ensure the city is on the same page regarding potential improvements, which could include additional turn lanes, signal changes, or other roadway modifications.
The council agreed to schedule a future discussion to outline priorities for the intersection. The city is seeking direction ahead of the Suncoast Parkway impact, with the Parkway exit coming to Citrus Avenue. According to city officials, the goal is to address the traffic that will be generated as a result of the exit.
Some potential improvements being considered include:
- Additional turn lanes
- Signal changes
- Other roadway modifications
The city is working to determine the best course of action and is seeking input from residents and stakeholders. More information can be found on the city’s website or by contacting city officials directly.
Originally reported by Citrus County Chronicle – Crystal River
