Ayers Road Extension (Hernando County Route 576)

During April 2022 the Ayers Road Extension opened in southern Hernando County as a new segment of Hernando County Route 576. The Ayers Road Extension is part of a 10.8-mile corridor which is intended to create a four-lane highway between US Route 19 in Spring Hill and US Route 41 in Masaryktown. The Ayers Road Extension functionally acts as a bypass of Masaryktown.

Part 1; the history of the Ayers Road Extension

The Ayers Road Extension (Hernando County Route 576) was discussed in detail in the July 18, 2021, Hernando Sun. The Ayers Road Extension is noted to be the first of three planned projects which would form a 10.8 mile long four-lane highway in Hernando County spanning from US Route 19 in Spring Hill east to US Route 41 near Masaryktown. The second and third units are noted to comprise existing segments of County Line Road (Hernando County Route 578). The article notes all three projects were to be constructed by the Florida Department of Transportation and turned over to Hernando County for maintenance.

On March 2, 2021, the Florida Department of Transportation announced Trillium Boulevard would close from County Line Road on March 9, 2021. Traffic would be required to detour on the recently completed segment of Ayers Road Extension from Trillium Boulevard east to US Route 41/Broad Street.

The southern segment of the Ayers Road Extension was reported as being accepted by the Florida Department of Transportation on April 12, 2022. The southern end of the Ayers Road Extension tied into a realigned County Line Road and Trillium Boulevard.

Part 2; a drive on the Ayers Road Extension

From US Route 41/Broad Street north of Masaryktown traffic can access the Ayers Road Extension by turning west on County Route 576.

The westbound Ayers Road Extension bypasses Masaryktown and intersects the northern end of Trillium Boulevard.

The Ayers Road Extension terminates at the intersection of County Line Road (Hernando County Route 578) and the southern end of Trillium Boulevard. Traffic continuing west to US Route 19 transitions onto County Line Road/Hernando County Route 578.

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