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The Northern Turnpike Extension, a proposed project that would expand the road, could run through Royal, among other areas of Citrus, Levy, Marion and Sumter counties.
The Northern Turnpike Extension could run through the town of Royal. The community that stands there today is close-knit. Neighbors often gather for barbecues or bonfires, cars honk in recognition when they pass through the dusty roads and friends spend days chatting in lawn chairs.
One resident said the Florida Department of Transportation is "making a billion dollars" off the purchase of land in the community, "and they don’t give us chump change.”
Potential construction on the Florida Turnpike could affect Royal, one of the oldest Black communities in the state.