LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — There’s a smoother way to get between Horizons West and Clermont now.

What You Need To Know

  • Paving of Schofield Road recently wrapped up in Lake County

  • The paved road makes it smoother to travel between U.S. 27 in Lake County and State Road 429 in Orange County

  • The work is expected to open up the rural area to new development

  • A toll road is also planned for this area

Schofield Road is newly paved in Lake County, connecting State Road 429 in Orange County to U.S. 27 in Lake County.

“The two biggest complaints by far in the past is that it’s too hot, and the road is horrible,” said David Hill, who started Southern Hill Farms off Schofield Road 25 years ago.

For years, Hill would grade the road — smoothing out the road — before crowds would show for the farm’s fall festival.

Hill’s neighbor, Cemex, as a stipulation for building a sand mine, spent $13 million to pave Schofield Road between U.S. 27 and the Orange County Line.

“The road was paved enough so our customers could use it the week before we started fall festival, so it worked out perfectly,” said Hill.

Construction began in October 2021, and substantial work was completed last month.

“This project will make transportation more convenient between Lake County and Orange County,” said Sarah Lux, spokesperson for Lake County. “Now that construction is finished, the added accessibility makes it easier for residents, visitors, and businesses to traverse our region.”

The paved road makes it easier for customers to get to Southern Hill Farms, but it also opens the door to more development.

“With every pro, there is a con, but this con is the fact we’re going to be developed all around. It would be great for business, it’s not good for farm ambience,” he said.

This isn’t the only major road project in this area.

Just south of Schofield Road, the Central Florida Expressway Authority is also planning a toll road between State Road 429 and U.S. 27 called State Road 516.

Groundbreaking is expected in the first quarter of next year.

“With that toll road, if that’s an option, and there’s going to be a turnoff about a half mile from the farm, I think that’s going to help business a lot,” said Hill.