The Alachua County Department of Public Works is seeking public input on the SW 62nd Blvd. Connector project, which would connect S.R. 26 (Newberry Rd.) and S.R. 24 (Archer Rd.), just east of I-75 near the Oaks Mall. The purpose of the project is to help ease traffic on I-75 and to improve traffic circulation between Archer & Newberry Rds.

Currently, SW 62nd Blvd. runs perpendicular to Newberry Rd., past the Oaks Mall south to SW 20th Ave. The street deadends at the Cabana Beach apartment complex.

The project currently is in the “corridor study” phase, where county staff is analyzing alternatives for improving the corridor and to recommending alternatives.

The project staff originally came up with eight possible connector routes, but four of the routes were eliminated based upon environmental criteria.

The criteria being used to analyze the connectors include wetlands quality and quantity, water quality, flood plains, historic features and archaeological sites, the presence of threatened and endangered species, contamination, air quality and noise.

The project staff is seeking input on the remaining four alternatives. None of the remaining alternatives cross through the Hogtown Prairie.

If you were traveling north to south, “Alternative one” has drivers turn left onto SW 20th Ave. and right onto SW 43rd St. The route hits Archer Rd. at SW 40th Blvd., just east of I-75.

“Alternative two,” traveling north to south, extends SW 62nd Blvd. past Cabana Beach apartments and features a connector that runs alongside of I-75. The connector also would empty at SW 40th Blvd.

“Alternative three” is almost the same as alternative one, but it hits Archer Rd. at SW 37th Blvd.

“Alternative four” features the connector extending past Cabana Beach apartments and a new road near where SW 24th Ave. and then down another road through the proposed Butler Plaza North and onto Archer Rd. at  SW 37th Blvd.

You can see maps of all four alternatives on the here.

You also can get in touch with project director Jennifer Spagnoli at 374-5245 or by sending an e-mail to

jspagnoli@AlachuaCounty.US.