U.S. Route 19 in Florida
Encyclopedia
U.S. Route 19 in Florida runs 264 miles (424.9 km) along Florida
's west coast from an interchange with U.S. Route 41
in Memphis, Florida
, south of Tampa
, and continues to the Georgia
border north of Monticello, Florida
.
US 19 remains independent of I-75, even as the routes converge in the Tampa Bay Area
. The route is co-signed with Interstate 275
over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge
, a cable-stayed bridge
over the mouth of Tampa Bay
, US 98 between Chassahowitzka and Perry, Alternate US 27 between Chiefland and Perry, and US 27 between and Perry and Capps.
The "secret" designation for US 19 in Florida, between Memphis
and Perry, is State Road 55
. Between Perry and Capps, it follows State Road 20
, and between Capps and the Georgia border, it follows State Road 57.
in Manatee County
, and remains independent until the interchange with Interstate 275
at Exit 5, where it overlaps I-275 across the Sunshine Skyway Bridge
, the terminus of which is at Interstate 275
& Florida State Road 682 at Exit 17.
According to a Dateline NBC
study, part of US 19 in Florida
is the most dangerous road in the United States
. A Florida
Highway Patrol
test period beginning in 1998 and ending in 2003, as mandated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
, showed the stretch of US 19 from Pasco County
to Pinellas County
to average approximately 52 deaths a year, or 262 deaths in the 5 year duration of the study. 100 of these deaths were pedestrian related making US 19 the #1 worst road to walk on in these two counties. Multiple efforts to improve US 19 have been suggested to the FDOT.
Within Downtown St. Petersburg, US 19 crosses Alternate US 19
, which used to serve as the southern terminus of Alt US 19 until 2006. US 19 runs along 34th Street until just south of the interchange at Florida State Road 694 at Gandy and Park Boulevards in Pinellas Park
. This interchange was intended for the formerly proposed Gandy Freeway. In eastern Largo
, Florida State Road 688 shares an interchange with the northern terminus of Florida State Road 693, a road that leads to St. Pete Beach
and was once part of Florida State Road A19A. Immediately after this, the next interchange is at Florida State Road 686, the road to the St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport.
Florida State Road 60 is the site of the world's first Single-point urban interchange
. Drew Street is north of the interchange, and for years has been a source of major accidents. By 2006, the freeway gap was filled between SR 60 and Sunset Point Boulevard, however the service roads terminate at a creek between Drew Street and Coachman Road, creating a traffic situation similar to that of the Oakdale Merge on Long Island, New York.
Currently, US 19 between Clearwater and Pinellas Park is getting a freeway-style upgrade (http://www.southeastroads.com/us-019_fl.html http://www.myus19.com), due to the cancellation of an extension of Interstate 375
in the late 1970s.
terminates at US 19 in Holiday
across from a major trailer park, a de facto extension of the road serves as a brief multiplex with US 19 in Holiday which terminates a block north of the northern terminus of Alternate US 19 in Holiday at Mile Stetch Road (Pasco CR 595). After the intersection with Moog Road, US 19 takes a slight curve to the northeast before intersecting with Florida State Road 54. Shortly after this, the road crosses Pasco CR 518 (Trouble Creek Road), then dips as it approaches the gateway to Gulf Harbors
and curves straight north before reaching Gulf Boulevard. Downtown New Port Richey can be found roughly two miles north of this point at Main Street which is the northern terminus of unamrked southern Pasco CR 595, although the terminus used to be at Grand Boulevard in Port Richey. The bridge over the Pithlachascotee River
, which carries US 19 from New Port Richey to Port Richey was a two-lane drawbridge until 1965. An even older version of that bridge is now fishing pier owned by a boat rental dealership.
Just as in Pinellas County, US 19 in Pasco County
has been rated the most dangerous road in the United States. Ridge Road (Pasco CR 524) is considered to be one of the most dangerous intersection of US 19. However instead of making any genuine effort to improve the intersection by building an interchange, local governments have allowed developers to add a Wal-Mart and smaller stores in the vicinity of the intersection. The closest thing to an interchange that has been considered is an overpass strictly for left-turn lanes.
North of Ridge Road, US 19 passes by the Gulf View Square Mall as well as the Embassy Plaza and Embassy Crossing shopping centers on the oppostite side of the mall. North of these two shopping centers, a marginal dirt road can be found on the east side of US 19 as far north as Fox Hollow Road, while on the west side a paved road that may have been part of the old US 19 runs from the north end of the mall to Clemens Boulevard. After this, the road intersects Pasco CR 77 (Regency Park Drive) south of Jasmine Estates, Florida
, which is only noticed because an 18 screen movie theater is located opposite from the terminus, before turning straight north again near the intersection with Hammock Road and Ranch Road. The next major intersection is Florida State Road 52 in Bayonet Point. The southwest corner of SR 52 is dominated by a flea market which was originally a race track.
After curving from north to northeast near the Old Dixie Highway
in Hudson Beach
, US 19 intersects with Hudson Avenue and Fivay Drive, the latter of which was formerly part of Pasco County Road 1. The northern terminus of Little Road (Pasco CR 1) was built at the turn of the century further north. Between the former and current terminus of Pasco CR 1, US 19 is dotted with independent motels, one of which was plagued with so much flooding during the early 21st Century that it was torn down. Another marginal dirt road exists along the east side of this section. North of Little Road, US 19 curves straight north again.
Aripeka Road (Pasco CR 595) is located in one of the most rural sections of the county. Despite efforts to preserve some of the land in this section, a new gated community geared towards horse owners has sprung up north of Aripeka Road. US 19's journey through Pasco County ends at Pasco-Hernando County Road 578 (County Line Road), and Holiday Springs RV Resort across from the west end of CR 578.
. Applegate Road near Wendy Drive is only a short distance from Hernando CR 574 (Spring Hill Drive) and Hernando CR 595 (Osowaw Boulevard) serve as the Gateways to Spring Hill and Hernando Beach, although southbound US 19 travelers can reach CR 595 from Tarpon Boulevard. Osowaw and Tarpon Boulevards were once part of the Old Dixie Highway, which crossed over US 19 and back until shopping centers and a portion of Timber Pines, Florida
were built along the road.
Evidence of post-war, pre-Disney
efforts to attract tourists can be found in two dinosaur-shaped landmarks. The first is north of the Windward Village gated community, and the second is liertally built around a local garage and former Sinclair
gas station. In between there is another short former section of Old Dixie Highway north of Windward Village. Forest Oaks Boulevard is a street that runs past a local Hernando County Sheriff's station as it winds its way to Deltona Boulevard (Hernando CR 589). Berkley Manor Boulevard is the next intersection, but strictly leads to another Deed Restricted Community in Spring Hill. On the opposite side of these two intersections is a shopping center in front of two other roads leading to gated communities.
US 19 leaves Spring Hill north of Northcliffe Boulevard, and enters the City of Weeki Wachee
. The Weeki Wachee Springs
water park is at the intersection of Florida State Road 50 and its coastal spur Hernando County Road 550. A shopping center can be found diagonally across from the park. North of Florida State Road 50 US 19 is four-lanes wide, and has a limited number of median openings that contain left-turn lanes. Signs warn motorists that the region is a Bear Habitat. This is because much of what surrounds Route 19 north of Hexam Road consists of the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge
. Even the intersection with Hernando CR 476 (Centralia Road) is barely notable without signs.
. The first developed neighborhood encountered along US 19-98 is Sugarmill Woods
.
Within Homossassa Springs
, the division temporarily ends as it overlaps Citrus County Road 490. Citrus CR 490A terminates at the three-route concurrency with US 19-98-CCR 490. Less than 1/2 mile north of end of the CCR 490 concurrency, the road becomes divided again. North of Homossassa Springs US 19-98 serves as the location of a series of car dealerships, local garages, a Moose Lodge, churches and the intersection of Ozello Trail (Citrus CR 494).
As the road approaches Crystal River Airport
, one truly begins to feel that he or she has entered the City of Crystal River
, since the Airport serves as the unofficial southern border. At the intersection of Citrus County Road 44W, US 19-98 becomes a six-lane divided boulevard. The division of this highway ends again, just south of the intersection of Florida State Road 44, where the road curves west as it approaches Citrus County Road 495 (North Citrus Avenue).
US 19-98 curves back north and becomes a divided highway once again as it apporaches Crystal River Mall. Other former sections exist between Crystal River and Red Level, while the current US 19-98 passes by sparsely located hotels, bars, houses, cluster developments and signs advertising locally prepared peanuts. It also passes by the Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center just south of the Crystal River Nuclear Power Plant and then Citrus County Road 488 in Red Level. A field where American Civil War
re-enactments are staged lies just north of the back entrance to a local quarry.
The Cross Florida Barge Canal
is the only section of US 19 that is two lanes wide in Citrus County. Currently, a new four-lane divided bridge is being built by FDOT, which was originally planned in conjunction with the proposed Suncoast Parkway extension to Red Level. A smaller four-lane bridge carries US 19-98 across the Withlacoochee River as it crosses the Citrus-Levy County Line.
, where it intersects with Levy County Road 40. West of US 19-98, Levy CR 40 is named "Follow That Dream Boulevard" for the 1962 movie starring Elvis Presley
. Shortly after this, the road intersects Levy CR 40A. North of Inglis, US 19-98 runs along sparse residences, trailer parks, a Florida Sheriff's Youth Facility, the Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Area and eventually Goethe State Forest
. Within the forest, the road crosses the Ten Mile Creek bridge before reaching an at-grade interchange with Florida State Road 121
& Levy County Road 336 in Lebanon Junction. From there, US 19-98 runs along an abandoned railroad line along the east side, while the median is widened and lined with the trees that existed before the road was ever built. This section also secretly overlaps Levy CR 336. At the intersection of Levy County Road 326 in Gulf Hammock
, an old locomotive and caboose is on display. Blinking signals exist over the intersection with Florida State Road 24 in Otter Creek
, but the overlap with Levy CR 336 leaves just before the signal.
Alternate US 27 joins US 19-98 in Cheifland where Florida State Road 500
ends. This intersection was transformed into a 90-degree intersection, which directly faces a local high school. Almost instantly US 19-98-Alt 27 encounters the intersection of US 129.
US 19-ALT 27-98 makes a sharp left turn near the intersection of Florida State Road 26 in Fanning Springs, where it also crosses the Joe H. Anderson Sr. Bridge
over the Suwanee River, thus entering Dixie County
. It then follows the left bank of the Suwanee River and intersects the eastern terminus of Dixie County Road 55A, and even contains a Truck Weight station in the median before reaching Florida State Road 349
in Old Town
, which used to be U.S. Route 129 Alternate. The road starts making more of a northwest turn after this and shortly afterwards encoutners Dixie CR 351 in Cross City
, then passes through Shamrock where the road crosses Dixie County Road 358 twice. After the second crossing of CR 358, it begins to take an even more northerly direction before leaving Dixie County at the Steinhatchee River
.
, US 19 enters Taylor County, where it intersects with Florida State Road 51 at Tennille. The rest of the way, US 19 passes through small towns such as Salem, Carbur, Athena, and Pinland.
In Bucell Junction US 19 gains the name Byron Butler Parkway as it intersects with Florida State Road 30 and Florida State Road 30A near the Perry-Foley Airport
. SR 30 secretly joins US 19 momentarily. Within the city limits of Perry
, SR 55 veers to the right along US 221. SR 30 is the secret designation north of here. Alternate US 27 terminates at US 27
, which replaces it as an overlapping US route as US 98 heads west along Florida State Road 30. From this point, the secret designation is Florida State Road 20
. It also briefly carries U.S. Truck Route 221 until it reaches Taylor County Road 359A (Wright Road).
In Eridu the road intersects with Taylor County Road 14. US 19/US 27 briefly enters Madison County
where the name is change to the Florida-Georgia Parkway, where it intersects with Madison County Road 150 (also known as Creek 150), then Jefferson County
. The first major town in Jefferson County that the road enters is Lamont, Florida
, where US 19/US 27 encounters SR 165 and Jefferson CRs 257A & 257B, as it begins to move in a more westerly direction.
along with SR 20
, on its way through Tallahassee. From this point on, Florida State Road 57 is the secret designation, and the road maintains the name Florida-Georgia Parkway. After the intersection with Jefferson CR 158B, US 19 encounters Interstate 10
at Exit 225 in Drifton
, then an intersection with Jefferson County Road 158. The road shares a concurrency with Jefferson CR 259
as it intersects US 90 (SR 10) and CR 146, but it ends just south of the intersection with CR 149 in Monticello
. US 19 finally crosses the Georgia
state line where Florida SR 57 ends and Georgia SR 3
and 300
begin, the former of which is the state route for US 19 into Atlanta
, while the latter of which is the state route for US 19 from there to Albany, Georgia
.
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US 19 first entered Florida in 1929. It underwent three route shifts, the first in 1933, the second in 1946, and the third in 1951 which adjusted it to its current alignment, and created the alternate route in Pinellas County. US 19 was extended to its southern terminus of Memphis in September 1954, when the original Sunshine Skyway Bridge opened to traffic.
From 1956 until 1993, US 19 signs in Florida featured white numbering on a red shield. The "color-coding" of U.S. Routes by the Florida Department of Transportation
was stopped when the state could no longer use Federal funds to replace the signs with anything but the standard black-and-white version; a few red US 19 signs remain.
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
's west coast from an interchange with U.S. Route 41
U.S. Route 41
U.S. Route 41 is a north–south United States Highway that runs from Miami, Florida to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Until 1949, the part in southern Florida, from Naples to Miami, was U.S...
in Memphis, Florida
Memphis, Florida
Memphis is a census-designated place in Manatee County, Florida, United States. The population was 7,264 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Bradenton–Sarasota–Venice Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, south of Tampa
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
, and continues to the Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
border north of Monticello, Florida
Monticello, Florida
Monticello is a city in Jefferson County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,533 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 2,572. It is the county seat of Jefferson County...
.
US 19 remains independent of I-75, even as the routes converge in the Tampa Bay Area
Tampa Bay Area
The Tampa Bay Area is the region of west central Florida adjacent to Tampa Bay. Definitions of the region vary. It is often considered equivalent to the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical Area defined by the United States Census Bureau. The Census Bureau currently...
. The route is co-signed with Interstate 275
Interstate 275 (Florida)
Interstate 275 in Florida serves the Tampa Bay metropolitan area, measuring 60.696 miles in length. The southern terminus is I-75 near Palmetto, just five miles east of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, a toll bridge crossing Tampa Bay. The highway passes through St...
over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
The Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a bridge spanning Tampa Bay, Florida, with a cable-stayed main span, and a total length of 21,877 feet . It is part of I-275 and US 19 , connecting St. Petersburg in Pinellas County and Terra Ceia in Manatee County, Florida, passing through Hillsborough...
, a cable-stayed bridge
Cable-stayed bridge
A cable-stayed bridge is a bridge that consists of one or more columns , with cables supporting the bridge deck....
over the mouth of Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is a large natural harbor and estuary along the Gulf of Mexico on the west central coast of Florida, comprising Hillsborough Bay, Old Tampa Bay, Middle Tampa Bay, and Lower Tampa Bay."Tampa Bay" is not the name of any municipality...
, US 98 between Chassahowitzka and Perry, Alternate US 27 between Chiefland and Perry, and US 27 between and Perry and Capps.
The "secret" designation for US 19 in Florida, between Memphis
Memphis, Florida
Memphis is a census-designated place in Manatee County, Florida, United States. The population was 7,264 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Bradenton–Sarasota–Venice Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
and Perry, is State Road 55
Florida State Road 55
State Road 55 is mainly the internal or secret designation of U.S. Route 19 through Florida, although it has appeared on maps and atlases in several occasions. State Road 55 originates at the Georgia border north of Ashville, and ends at SR 684 in Bradenton. North of Perry, it's the secret route...
. Between Perry and Capps, it follows State Road 20
State Road 20 (Florida)
State Road 20 is an east–west route across northern Florida and the Florida Panhandle.-Route description:The western terminus of State Road 20 is at State Road 85 in Niceville. The route proceeds east through Blountstown, crossing the Apalachicola River on the Trammell Bridge, then proceeding...
, and between Capps and the Georgia border, it follows State Road 57.
Manatee County to Pinellas County
The road begins at an interchange with U.S. Route 41U.S. Route 41
U.S. Route 41 is a north–south United States Highway that runs from Miami, Florida to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Until 1949, the part in southern Florida, from Naples to Miami, was U.S...
in Manatee County
Manatee County, Florida
Manatee County is a county in the state of Florida. According to the 2010 census by the U.S. Census Bureau there are 322,833 people living in Manatee Country.Manatee County is part of the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, and remains independent until the interchange with Interstate 275
Interstate 275 (Florida)
Interstate 275 in Florida serves the Tampa Bay metropolitan area, measuring 60.696 miles in length. The southern terminus is I-75 near Palmetto, just five miles east of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, a toll bridge crossing Tampa Bay. The highway passes through St...
at Exit 5, where it overlaps I-275 across the Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
The Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a bridge spanning Tampa Bay, Florida, with a cable-stayed main span, and a total length of 21,877 feet . It is part of I-275 and US 19 , connecting St. Petersburg in Pinellas County and Terra Ceia in Manatee County, Florida, passing through Hillsborough...
, the terminus of which is at Interstate 275
Interstate 275 (Florida)
Interstate 275 in Florida serves the Tampa Bay metropolitan area, measuring 60.696 miles in length. The southern terminus is I-75 near Palmetto, just five miles east of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, a toll bridge crossing Tampa Bay. The highway passes through St...
& Florida State Road 682 at Exit 17.
According to a Dateline NBC
Dateline NBC
Dateline NBC, or Dateline, is a U.S. weekly television newsmagazine broadcast by NBC. It previously was NBC's flagship news magazine, but now focuses on true crime stories. It airs Friday at 9 p.m. EST and after football season on Sunday at 7 p.m. EST.-History:Dateline is historically notable for...
study, part of US 19 in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
is the most dangerous road in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. A Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
Highway Patrol
Highway patrol
A highway patrol is either a police unit created primarily for the purpose of overseeing and enforcing traffic safety compliance on roads and highways, or a detail within an existing local or regional police agency that is primarily concerned with such duties.Duties of highway patrols or traffic...
test period beginning in 1998 and ending in 2003, as mandated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is an agency of the Executive Branch of the U.S. government, part of the Department of Transportation...
, showed the stretch of US 19 from Pasco County
Pasco County, Florida
Pasco County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 344,765. The July 1, 2007 census estimate according to the U.S. Census Bureau for the county is 462,715. Its county seat is Dade City, Florida which is in the northeast part of the county - somewhat...
to Pinellas County
Pinellas County, Florida
Pinellas County is a county located in the state of Florida. Its county seat is Clearwater, Florida, and its largest city is St. Petersburg. This county is contained entirely within the telephone area code 727, except for some sections of Oldsmar, which have the area code 813...
to average approximately 52 deaths a year, or 262 deaths in the 5 year duration of the study. 100 of these deaths were pedestrian related making US 19 the #1 worst road to walk on in these two counties. Multiple efforts to improve US 19 have been suggested to the FDOT.
Within Downtown St. Petersburg, US 19 crosses Alternate US 19
U.S. Route 19 Alternate (St. Petersburg, Florida)
Alternate U.S. Route 19 is the former section of U.S. Route 19 from St. Petersburg, Florida to Holiday.Beginning at the intersection of 4th Street N Alternate U.S. Route 19 is the former section of U.S. Route 19 from St. Petersburg, Florida to Holiday.Beginning at the intersection of 4th Street N...
, which used to serve as the southern terminus of Alt US 19 until 2006. US 19 runs along 34th Street until just south of the interchange at Florida State Road 694 at Gandy and Park Boulevards in Pinellas Park
Pinellas Park, Florida
Pinellas Park is a city located in central Pinellas County, Florida. The population was 45,658 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 47,166 . The city was founded by Philadelphia publisher, F. A...
. This interchange was intended for the formerly proposed Gandy Freeway. In eastern Largo
Largo, Florida
Largo is the third largest city in Pinellas County, Florida, USA and is part of the Tampa Bay Area. Centrally located, it is the crossroads of the county. As of the 2000 census, the City had a total population of 69,371. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau was...
, Florida State Road 688 shares an interchange with the northern terminus of Florida State Road 693, a road that leads to St. Pete Beach
St. Pete Beach, Florida
St. Pete Beach is a coastal city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States famous for its status as a tourist destination. St. Pete Beach was formed from the Towns of Pass-a-Grille, Don CeSar, Belle Vista, St. Petersburg Beach and unincorporated Pinellas County. At the time of its incorporation...
and was once part of Florida State Road A19A. Immediately after this, the next interchange is at Florida State Road 686, the road to the St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport.
Florida State Road 60 is the site of the world's first Single-point urban interchange
Single-point urban interchange
A single-point urban interchange , also called a single-point interchange or single-point diamond interchange , is a type of highway interchange...
. Drew Street is north of the interchange, and for years has been a source of major accidents. By 2006, the freeway gap was filled between SR 60 and Sunset Point Boulevard, however the service roads terminate at a creek between Drew Street and Coachman Road, creating a traffic situation similar to that of the Oakdale Merge on Long Island, New York.
Currently, US 19 between Clearwater and Pinellas Park is getting a freeway-style upgrade (http://www.southeastroads.com/us-019_fl.html http://www.myus19.com), due to the cancellation of an extension of Interstate 375
Interstate 375 (Florida)
Interstate 375 in St. Petersburg, Florida, also known as North Bay Drive, is a 1.34-mile-long spur route from Interstate 275 into downtown. It is also designated as the unsigned State Road 592...
in the late 1970s.
Major intersections of expressway segment
| County | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pinellas | Interchange | |
| South end of freeway | ||
| 110th Avenue North | Northbound exit is via CR 296 | |
| 126th Avenue North | Northbound exit is via CR 296 exit; southbound exit is via SR 688 | |
| No northbound exit | ||
| 150th Avenue North | No access across US 19; southbound exit is via SR 686 | |
| Whitney Road | Northbound exit is via SR 686 | |
| Gap in freeway; presently under conversion to freeway standards to be completed in 2014 | ||
| Southbound exit is via Drew Street | ||
| Drew Street | ||
| Southbound exit is via Sunset Point Road | ||
| Sunset Point Road | ||
| Gap in freeway | ||
| Countryside Boulevard | Southbound exit is via SR 580 | |
| Evans Road | No access across US 19; northbound exit is via SR 580 | |
| North end of freeway | ||
Pasco County
When Alternate US 19U.S. Route 19 Alternate (St. Petersburg, Florida)
Alternate U.S. Route 19 is the former section of U.S. Route 19 from St. Petersburg, Florida to Holiday.Beginning at the intersection of 4th Street N Alternate U.S. Route 19 is the former section of U.S. Route 19 from St. Petersburg, Florida to Holiday.Beginning at the intersection of 4th Street N...
terminates at US 19 in Holiday
Holiday, Florida
Holiday , is a census-designated place in Pasco County, Florida, United States. It is a suburb included in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 21,904 at the 2000 census.The name Holiday, like the names of many towns, comes from a spark...
across from a major trailer park, a de facto extension of the road serves as a brief multiplex with US 19 in Holiday which terminates a block north of the northern terminus of Alternate US 19 in Holiday at Mile Stetch Road (Pasco CR 595). After the intersection with Moog Road, US 19 takes a slight curve to the northeast before intersecting with Florida State Road 54. Shortly after this, the road crosses Pasco CR 518 (Trouble Creek Road), then dips as it approaches the gateway to Gulf Harbors
Gulf Harbors, Florida
Gulf Harbors is an unincorporated urban community in western Pasco County, Florida, United States, near New Port Richey; however, the community did not meet the requirements of a Census-designated place. According to Rand McNally, the latest population estimates for the community is approximately...
and curves straight north before reaching Gulf Boulevard. Downtown New Port Richey can be found roughly two miles north of this point at Main Street which is the northern terminus of unamrked southern Pasco CR 595, although the terminus used to be at Grand Boulevard in Port Richey. The bridge over the Pithlachascotee River
Pithlachascotee River
The Pithlachascotee River, often called the Cotee or "Cootie" River, is a blackwater river in Pasco County, Florida.Originating near Crews Lake, the river flows for over to the south and west, flowing through the Starkey Wilderness Park before turning northwest through downtown New Port Richey,...
, which carries US 19 from New Port Richey to Port Richey was a two-lane drawbridge until 1965. An even older version of that bridge is now fishing pier owned by a boat rental dealership.
Just as in Pinellas County, US 19 in Pasco County
Pasco County, Florida
Pasco County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 344,765. The July 1, 2007 census estimate according to the U.S. Census Bureau for the county is 462,715. Its county seat is Dade City, Florida which is in the northeast part of the county - somewhat...
has been rated the most dangerous road in the United States. Ridge Road (Pasco CR 524) is considered to be one of the most dangerous intersection of US 19. However instead of making any genuine effort to improve the intersection by building an interchange, local governments have allowed developers to add a Wal-Mart and smaller stores in the vicinity of the intersection. The closest thing to an interchange that has been considered is an overpass strictly for left-turn lanes.
North of Ridge Road, US 19 passes by the Gulf View Square Mall as well as the Embassy Plaza and Embassy Crossing shopping centers on the oppostite side of the mall. North of these two shopping centers, a marginal dirt road can be found on the east side of US 19 as far north as Fox Hollow Road, while on the west side a paved road that may have been part of the old US 19 runs from the north end of the mall to Clemens Boulevard. After this, the road intersects Pasco CR 77 (Regency Park Drive) south of Jasmine Estates, Florida
Jasmine Estates, Florida
Jasmine Estates is a census-designated place in Pasco County, Florida, United States. The population was 18,213 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Jasmine Estates is located at ....
, which is only noticed because an 18 screen movie theater is located opposite from the terminus, before turning straight north again near the intersection with Hammock Road and Ranch Road. The next major intersection is Florida State Road 52 in Bayonet Point. The southwest corner of SR 52 is dominated by a flea market which was originally a race track.
After curving from north to northeast near the Old Dixie Highway
Dixie Highway
The Dixie Highway was a United States automobile highway, first planned in 1914 to connect the US Midwest with the Southern United States. It was part of the National Auto Trail system, and grew out of an earlier Miami to Montreal highway. The final result is better understood as a small network of...
in Hudson Beach
Hudson Beach, Florida
Hudson Beach is a small unincorporated beach community west of U.S. Route 19 in Pasco County, Florida, United States. The community has canals criscrossing it, and the residences have canals in their backyard. It is just north of New Port Richey...
, US 19 intersects with Hudson Avenue and Fivay Drive, the latter of which was formerly part of Pasco County Road 1. The northern terminus of Little Road (Pasco CR 1) was built at the turn of the century further north. Between the former and current terminus of Pasco CR 1, US 19 is dotted with independent motels, one of which was plagued with so much flooding during the early 21st Century that it was torn down. Another marginal dirt road exists along the east side of this section. North of Little Road, US 19 curves straight north again.
Aripeka Road (Pasco CR 595) is located in one of the most rural sections of the county. Despite efforts to preserve some of the land in this section, a new gated community geared towards horse owners has sprung up north of Aripeka Road. US 19's journey through Pasco County ends at Pasco-Hernando County Road 578 (County Line Road), and Holiday Springs RV Resort across from the west end of CR 578.
Hernando County
After the intersection at Pasco-Hernando County Road 578 (County Line Road), US 19 continues northbound as a six-lane highway with occasional frontage roads. Tourist Development Council signs at both borders boast of the county being part of Florida's Nature Coast. The southern half of US 19 serves as most of the western border of Spring Hill, FloridaSpring Hill, Florida
Spring Hill is a census-designated place in Hernando County, Florida, United States. The estimated population was 92,144 in 2007 by the United States Census. Spring Hill belongs to Florida's Nature Coast and is in the Tampa-St...
. Applegate Road near Wendy Drive is only a short distance from Hernando CR 574 (Spring Hill Drive) and Hernando CR 595 (Osowaw Boulevard) serve as the Gateways to Spring Hill and Hernando Beach, although southbound US 19 travelers can reach CR 595 from Tarpon Boulevard. Osowaw and Tarpon Boulevards were once part of the Old Dixie Highway, which crossed over US 19 and back until shopping centers and a portion of Timber Pines, Florida
Timber Pines, Florida
Timber Pines is a census-designated place in Hernando County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,840 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Timber Pines is located at ....
were built along the road.
Evidence of post-war, pre-Disney
Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort , is the world's most-visited entertaimental resort. Located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida ; approximately southwest of Orlando, Florida, United States, the resort covers an area of and includes four theme parks, two water parks, 23 on-site themed resort hotels Walt...
efforts to attract tourists can be found in two dinosaur-shaped landmarks. The first is north of the Windward Village gated community, and the second is liertally built around a local garage and former Sinclair
Sinclair Oil
Sinclair Oil Corporation is an American petroleum corporation, founded by Harry F. Sinclair on May 1, 1916 as the Sinclair Oil & Refining Corporation by combining the assets of 11 small petroleum companies. Originally a New York corporation, Sinclair Oil reincorporated in Wyoming in 1976...
gas station. In between there is another short former section of Old Dixie Highway north of Windward Village. Forest Oaks Boulevard is a street that runs past a local Hernando County Sheriff's station as it winds its way to Deltona Boulevard (Hernando CR 589). Berkley Manor Boulevard is the next intersection, but strictly leads to another Deed Restricted Community in Spring Hill. On the opposite side of these two intersections is a shopping center in front of two other roads leading to gated communities.
US 19 leaves Spring Hill north of Northcliffe Boulevard, and enters the City of Weeki Wachee
Weeki Wachee, Florida
Weeki Wachee is a city located in Hernando County, Florida, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 12. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city continues to have a population of 12. The Weekiwachee Preserve and the Weeki Wachee Springs park...
. The Weeki Wachee Springs
Weeki Wachee Springs
Weeki Wachee Springs is a natural tourist attraction located in Weeki Wachee, Florida, where underwater performances by "mermaids", women dressed with fins about their legs as well as other fancy outfits, can be viewed in an aquarium-like setting in the spring of the Weeki Wachee River...
water park is at the intersection of Florida State Road 50 and its coastal spur Hernando County Road 550. A shopping center can be found diagonally across from the park. North of Florida State Road 50 US 19 is four-lanes wide, and has a limited number of median openings that contain left-turn lanes. Signs warn motorists that the region is a Bear Habitat. This is because much of what surrounds Route 19 north of Hexam Road consists of the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge
Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge
The 30,843 acre Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge is part of the United States National Wildlife Refuge System, located on the west coast of Florida, about seventy miles north of St. Petersburg...
. Even the intersection with Hernando CR 476 (Centralia Road) is barely notable without signs.
Citrus County
Across the Hernando-Citrus County Line, US 19 continues its pattern of having a limited number of left-turn lanes in the center-median. Recent development in the area may lead to the addition of such turn lanes. US 98 joins US 19 in Chassahowitzka, where Florida State Road 700 ends. Citrus County Road 480 also shares this intersection, and overlaps US 98 before branching out on its own towards Floral CityFloral City, Florida
Floral City is a census-designated place in Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 4,989 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Floral City is located at 28°44′N 82°18′W ....
. The first developed neighborhood encountered along US 19-98 is Sugarmill Woods
Sugarmill Woods, Florida
Sugarmill Woods is a census-designated place in Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 6,409 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Sugarmill Woods is located at ....
.
Within Homossassa Springs
Homosassa Springs, Florida
Homosassa Springs is a census-designated place in Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 12,458 at the 2000 census.The name derives from the warm spring located in the Wildlife State Park that attracts manatees to the area....
, the division temporarily ends as it overlaps Citrus County Road 490. Citrus CR 490A terminates at the three-route concurrency with US 19-98-CCR 490. Less than 1/2 mile north of end of the CCR 490 concurrency, the road becomes divided again. North of Homossassa Springs US 19-98 serves as the location of a series of car dealerships, local garages, a Moose Lodge, churches and the intersection of Ozello Trail (Citrus CR 494).
As the road approaches Crystal River Airport
Crystal River Airport
Crystal River Airport is a public airport located three miles southeast of the central business district of Crystal River, in Citrus County, Florida, United States. It is owned by Citrus County.Although most U.S...
, one truly begins to feel that he or she has entered the City of Crystal River
Crystal River, Florida
Crystal River is a city in Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,485 at the 2000 census. . According to the U.S Census estimates of 2005, the city had a population of 3,539. The city was incorporated in 1903 and is the self professed "Home of the Manatee"....
, since the Airport serves as the unofficial southern border. At the intersection of Citrus County Road 44W, US 19-98 becomes a six-lane divided boulevard. The division of this highway ends again, just south of the intersection of Florida State Road 44, where the road curves west as it approaches Citrus County Road 495 (North Citrus Avenue).
US 19-98 curves back north and becomes a divided highway once again as it apporaches Crystal River Mall. Other former sections exist between Crystal River and Red Level, while the current US 19-98 passes by sparsely located hotels, bars, houses, cluster developments and signs advertising locally prepared peanuts. It also passes by the Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center just south of the Crystal River Nuclear Power Plant and then Citrus County Road 488 in Red Level. A field where American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
re-enactments are staged lies just north of the back entrance to a local quarry.
The Cross Florida Barge Canal
Cross Florida Barge Canal
The Cross Florida Barge Canal was a canal project to connect the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean across Florida for barge traffic. Two sections were built but the project was cancelled, mainly for environmental reasons. It is now a protected green belt corridor, one mile wide...
is the only section of US 19 that is two lanes wide in Citrus County. Currently, a new four-lane divided bridge is being built by FDOT, which was originally planned in conjunction with the proposed Suncoast Parkway extension to Red Level. A smaller four-lane bridge carries US 19-98 across the Withlacoochee River as it crosses the Citrus-Levy County Line.
Levy County to Dixie County
US 19-98 crosses the Withlacoochee River and immedialtey enters Levy County and the city of InglisInglis, Florida
Inglis is a town located in Levy County, Florida, United States. It is located on U.S. Highway 19 near the Cross Florida Greenway. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 1,491. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S...
, where it intersects with Levy County Road 40. West of US 19-98, Levy CR 40 is named "Follow That Dream Boulevard" for the 1962 movie starring Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
. Shortly after this, the road intersects Levy CR 40A. North of Inglis, US 19-98 runs along sparse residences, trailer parks, a Florida Sheriff's Youth Facility, the Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Area and eventually Goethe State Forest
Goethe State Forest
The Goethe State Forest is in the U.S. state of Florida. The forest is located primarily on the west coast, near Dunnellon. Three trailheads are located on County Road 337.-References and external links:*...
. Within the forest, the road crosses the Ten Mile Creek bridge before reaching an at-grade interchange with Florida State Road 121
Florida State Road 121
State Road 121 is a major state highway that runs north and south in northern Florida. The road is actually part of a long multi-state route that also goes through Georgia and South Carolina. Some see it as a de-facto auxiliary route from U.S. Route 21 in Rock Hill, South Carolina...
& Levy County Road 336 in Lebanon Junction. From there, US 19-98 runs along an abandoned railroad line along the east side, while the median is widened and lined with the trees that existed before the road was ever built. This section also secretly overlaps Levy CR 336. At the intersection of Levy County Road 326 in Gulf Hammock
Gulf Hammock, Florida
Gulf Hammock is an unincorporated community in Levy County, Florida, United States. It is located on US 19-98 and Levy County Road 326 about southeast of Otter Creek. The town is the name for the Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Area....
, an old locomotive and caboose is on display. Blinking signals exist over the intersection with Florida State Road 24 in Otter Creek
Otter Creek, Florida
Otter Creek is a city in Levy County, Florida, United States. The population was 121 at the 2000 census. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 129.-Geography:Otter Creek is located at ....
, but the overlap with Levy CR 336 leaves just before the signal.
Alternate US 27 joins US 19-98 in Cheifland where Florida State Road 500
Florida State Road 500
State Road 500 is a major state highway running through Florida as a mostly unsigned route under several US Highways. From Chiefland to Williston it is U.S. Highway 27 Alternate. From Williston to Ocala, it is U.S. Highway 27. From Ocala to Kissimmee, it is U.S. Highway 441. From Kissimmee to...
ends. This intersection was transformed into a 90-degree intersection, which directly faces a local high school. Almost instantly US 19-98-Alt 27 encounters the intersection of US 129.
US 19-ALT 27-98 makes a sharp left turn near the intersection of Florida State Road 26 in Fanning Springs, where it also crosses the Joe H. Anderson Sr. Bridge
Joe H. Anderson Sr. Bridge
The Joe H. Anderson Sr. Bridge carries US 19/US 98/Alternate US 27 over the Suwannee River in northwestern Florida, near Fanning Springs.-References:*...
over the Suwanee River, thus entering Dixie County
Dixie County, Florida
Dixie County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 13,827. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 14,647 . Its county seat is Cross City, Florida.- History :...
. It then follows the left bank of the Suwanee River and intersects the eastern terminus of Dixie County Road 55A, and even contains a Truck Weight station in the median before reaching Florida State Road 349
Florida State Road 349
State Road 349 is a 2 lane Florida State Road in eastern Dixie and Lafayette counties, near the Suwannee River. It is long. Near Fletcher, it intersects CR 351, a major access road to Cross City and Horseshoe Beach. The northern terminus is with an intersection of SR 20/US 27near Branford...
in Old Town
Old Town, Florida
Old Town is an unincorporated community in Dixie County, Florida, United States. It is located at the intersection of US 19/US 98 and State Road 349.-Geography:...
, which used to be U.S. Route 129 Alternate. The road starts making more of a northwest turn after this and shortly afterwards encoutners Dixie CR 351 in Cross City
Cross City, Florida
Cross City is a town in Dixie County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,775 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 1,800...
, then passes through Shamrock where the road crosses Dixie County Road 358 twice. After the second crossing of CR 358, it begins to take an even more northerly direction before leaving Dixie County at the Steinhatchee River
Steinhatchee River
The Steinhatchee River is a short river in the Big Bend region of Florida in the U.S.A.. The river rises in the Mallory Swamp just south of Mayo in Lafayette County and flows for out of Lafayette County, forming the boundary between Dixie County and Taylor County to the Gulf of Mexico. It has a...
.
Taylor County to Jefferson County
Immediately after crossing the Steinhatchee RiverSteinhatchee River
The Steinhatchee River is a short river in the Big Bend region of Florida in the U.S.A.. The river rises in the Mallory Swamp just south of Mayo in Lafayette County and flows for out of Lafayette County, forming the boundary between Dixie County and Taylor County to the Gulf of Mexico. It has a...
, US 19 enters Taylor County, where it intersects with Florida State Road 51 at Tennille. The rest of the way, US 19 passes through small towns such as Salem, Carbur, Athena, and Pinland.
In Bucell Junction US 19 gains the name Byron Butler Parkway as it intersects with Florida State Road 30 and Florida State Road 30A near the Perry-Foley Airport
Perry-Foley Airport
Perry-Foley Airport is a public-use airport located south of the central business district of the city of Perry in Taylor County, Florida, United States...
. SR 30 secretly joins US 19 momentarily. Within the city limits of Perry
Perry, Florida
Perry is a city in Taylor County, Florida, United States. The population was 7,017 at the 2010 census. As of 2010, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 7,017....
, SR 55 veers to the right along US 221. SR 30 is the secret designation north of here. Alternate US 27 terminates at US 27
U.S. Route 27 in Florida
U.S. Route 27 in Florida is a north–south United States Highway. It runs from the South Florida Metropolitan Area northwest to the Tallahassee Metropolitan Statistical Area. Throughout the state, US 27 has been designated the Claude Pepper Memorial Highway by the Florida State Legislature...
, which replaces it as an overlapping US route as US 98 heads west along Florida State Road 30. From this point, the secret designation is Florida State Road 20
Florida State Road 20
State Road 20 is an east–west route across northern Florida and the Florida Panhandle.-Route description:The western terminus of State Road 20 is at State Road 85 in Niceville. The route proceeds east through Blountstown, crossing the Apalachicola River on the Trammell Bridge, then proceeding...
. It also briefly carries U.S. Truck Route 221 until it reaches Taylor County Road 359A (Wright Road).
In Eridu the road intersects with Taylor County Road 14. US 19/US 27 briefly enters Madison County
Madison County, Florida
Madison County is a county located in the state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 18,733. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 19,902. Its county seat is Madison, Florida. Madison County is one of Florida's five dry counties....
where the name is change to the Florida-Georgia Parkway, where it intersects with Madison County Road 150 (also known as Creek 150), then Jefferson County
Jefferson County, Florida
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population is 12,902. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 14,490 . Its county seat is Monticello, Florida....
. The first major town in Jefferson County that the road enters is Lamont, Florida
Lamont, Florida
Lamont is an unincorporated community in Jefferson County, Florida, United States.-Geography:Lamont is located at .Ted Turner's Avalon Plantation is located in Lamont....
, where US 19/US 27 encounters SR 165 and Jefferson CRs 257A & 257B, as it begins to move in a more westerly direction.
Capps to the Georgia State Line
US 27 leaves US 19 in CappsCapps, Florida
Capps is an unincorporated community in Jefferson County, Florida, United States. It is located at the intersection of US 19 and US 27. During the 1940's and 50's, Capps was the headquarters of an agri-business known as Tungston Plantation, owned by Everett P. Larsh, an industrialist from Dayton,...
along with SR 20
Florida State Road 20
State Road 20 is an east–west route across northern Florida and the Florida Panhandle.-Route description:The western terminus of State Road 20 is at State Road 85 in Niceville. The route proceeds east through Blountstown, crossing the Apalachicola River on the Trammell Bridge, then proceeding...
, on its way through Tallahassee. From this point on, Florida State Road 57 is the secret designation, and the road maintains the name Florida-Georgia Parkway. After the intersection with Jefferson CR 158B, US 19 encounters Interstate 10
Interstate 10 in Florida
The of Interstate 10 in Florida is the eastern most section of the east–west Interstate 10 in the Southern United States. It is also the eastern end of the Interstate Highway known as the Christopher Columbus Transcontinental Highway, one of three coast to coast interstates, along with I-80...
at Exit 225 in Drifton
Drifton, Florida
Drifton is an unincorporated community in Jefferson County, Florida, United States. It is located near the intersection of US 19 and County Road 158.-Geography:Drifton is located at ....
, then an intersection with Jefferson County Road 158. The road shares a concurrency with Jefferson CR 259
State Road 259 (Florida)
Also known as "The Old Tram Road," Tram Road, Limestone Road, Wacissa Highway, and Waukeenah Highway, the former State Road 259 serves southeastern Leon County and western Jefferson County, Florida...
as it intersects US 90 (SR 10) and CR 146, but it ends just south of the intersection with CR 149 in Monticello
Monticello, Florida
Monticello is a city in Jefferson County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,533 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 2,572. It is the county seat of Jefferson County...
. US 19 finally crosses the Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
state line where Florida SR 57 ends and Georgia SR 3
Georgia State Route 3
State Route 3 runs in a generally north–south orientation from Georgia's northern border to its southern border. Its northern terminus is at the Tennessee state line just southeast of Chattanooga , and its southern terminus is at the Florida state line about twelve miles south-southeast of...
and 300
Georgia State Route 300
State Route 300, also called the Georgia-Florida Parkway, is a long route that runs from Florida State Road 57 at the Florida-Georgia state line south of Thomasville in Thomas County, north to I-75 in Cordele in Crisp County.-Route description:...
begin, the former of which is the state route for US 19 into Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, while the latter of which is the state route for US 19 from there to Albany, Georgia
Albany, Georgia
Albany is a city in and the county seat of Dougherty County, Georgia, United States, in the southwestern part of the state. It is the principal city of the Albany, Georgia metropolitan area and the southwest part of the state. The population was 77,434 at the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the...
.
History
From 1956 until 1993, US 19 signs in Florida featured white numbering on a red shield. The "color-coding" of U.S. Routes by the Florida Department of Transportation
Florida Department of Transportation
The Florida Department of Transportation is a decentralized agency charged with the establishment, maintenance, and regulation of public transportation in the state of Florida. The department was formed in 1969. It absorbed the powers of the Florida State Road Department...
was stopped when the state could no longer use Federal funds to replace the signs with anything but the standard black-and-white version; a few red US 19 signs remain.