Palmer Ranch Holdings completes two-lane extension

A new major arterial roadway is open and ready for business.

The Honore Avenue extension from Palmer Ranch to State Road 681, in Nokomis, officially opened March 16.

Palmer Ranch Holdings funded the $5.6 million, 2.5-mile project. Because a private company and not a local government hired the contractor, the road was completed sooner because it avoided a lengthy public bidding process.

“It was important to get [the extension] through now, because prices were low,” says Justin Powell, Palmer Ranch Holdings vice president.

The roadway not only opens up 900 acres of Palmer Ranch property, but will also serve as an important north-south arterial connector, especially when there are backups or closures on Interstate 75.

Designed as a four-lane road, the extension will have two lanes at first, until there is demand for the extra lanes.

—Robin Roy contributed to this report