Marion County to Vote on New Speed Limits in Rainbow Lakes Estates and on East Highway 318 in Citra

Marion County commissioners are scheduled to vote Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, on two resolutions that would change speed limits on East Highway 318 in Citra and on several roads in Rainbow Lakes Estates in southwest Marion County. Most of the affected segments would be posted at 45 mph; one stretch of Highway 318 would go to 55 mph. Both are consent items (7.7.1 and 7.7.2), which are approved together in one vote unless a commissioner pulls them for discussion, according to the county's Oct. 20 agenda packet.

Digitally generated illustration of a speedometer. Not a photo of either road.

The Office of the County Engineer recommended both changes "in response to citizen requests and a review of roadway conditions and speed data." State law (Section 316.189, Florida Statutes) lets the county set speed limits based on an engineering investigation. Neither item has a budget impact. If approved, the roads would be posted under the county's traffic sign policy; the resolutions do not give a sign-installation date.

East Highway 318 in Citra

The county's legal request describes this as a change "on CR 318 in Citra." Segments are measured between street addresses.



If approved, the only 35 mph section in this stretch would be between 2615 and 1853 E Hwy 318, with 45 or 55 mph on either side.

Rainbow Lakes Estates

In Rainbow Lakes Estates, the county engineer worked with Municipal Services Director Chad Wicker. Speed studies in June 2026 found 85th-percentile speeds (the speed at or below which 85% of drivers travel) of 47 to 55 mph on the county-maintained truck routes and about 51 mph on SW Rainbow Lakes Boulevard and SW Beach Boulevard. Staff wrote that the new limits "better reflect observed travel speeds and roadway conditions."



"Not stated" means the agenda item and resolution do not list a current posted limit for that segment. The county's packet includes location maps for both areas.

How to Weigh In

The board meets at 9 a.m. at the McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala. Comments on listed agenda items are heard early in the meeting; walk-up speakers sign in at the auditorium desk that day and get two minutes. Residents can also contact the Office of the County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave., at 352-671-8686, the number on the department's letterhead in the packet. Commissioners are listed on our county commission page.

For the communities involved, see our guides to Citra and nearby Dunnellon. The same agenda includes NW 49th Street land purchases and other work covered in our county road projects report; weekly closures are in Ocala road work for Oct. 18-23, and the rest of the meeting is in what else is on the Oct. 20 agenda.

Sources: Marion County Board of County Commissioners agenda, Oct. 20, 2026, items 7.7.1 (File No. 2026-24378, East Highway 318) and 7.7.2 (File No. 2026-24379, Rainbow Lakes Estates), with the draft resolutions, legal request memorandums 2026-792 and 2026-793, and location maps. Checked Oct. 18, 2026.