- The Florida Department of Transportation plans to mill and resurface 2.3 miles of University Avenue in Gainesville to improve safety.
- Public meetings on Sept 1 (virtual) and Sept 2 (in-person) will gather community input on the project, with comments accepted until Sept 14, 2026.
The Florida Department of Transportation will host public meetings next week to discuss proposed improvements to University Avenue (State Road 26) from Gale Lemerand Drive to NE Waldo Road (State Road 24) in Gainesville.
The project proposes improvements designed to increase safety for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and other users of the corridor. In partnership with the City of Gainesville, FDOT proposes to:
- Mill and resurface approximately 2.3 miles of University Avenue from Gale Lemerand Drive to NE Waldo Road.
- Extend the median on University Avenue at Fletcher Drive (Northwest 18th Street), along with minor drainage improvements.
- Install a pedestrian crosswalk for the Sweetwater Greenway Trail near the Matheson History Museum. The crossing will feature a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon signal, along with closure of the existing median opening and removal of the turn lane.
A virtual public meeting will be held with an open house from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1, followed by a presentation and public comment period at 5:30 p.m. To register to attend the virtual meeting, visit www.nflroads.com/virtualmeetings.
An in-person meeting will be held with an open house from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the Matheson History Museum (513 E University Ave., Gainesville), followed by a presentation and public comment period at 6 p.m.
Public meetings provide the public with an opportunity to express their views on the project, its potential for impact and other related matters. All participants, regardless of the platform they choose, will receive the same information on the proposed project and all comments received in-person, virtually, or electronically carries equal consideration.
Public comments may be submitted online at www.nflroads.com/virtualmeetings or by mailing them to William Weiser, 1109 South Marion Avenue, Lake City, or by email at William.Weiser@dot.state.fl.us. All public comments postmarked on or before Sept. 14, 2026, will become part of the public meeting record.