U.S. 41 Construction Moves Closer To Completion

With a summer 2011 completion date fast approaching, work on the U.S. 41 widening project near Land O’ Lakes High School is speeding ahead, say officials at the Florida Department of Transportation.

“Crews continue to build the new southbound lanes including installing the roadway base and lime rock on U.S. 41 between Gator Lane and Connerton Boulevard,” wrote Kris Carson, FDOT’s spokeswoman in a recent email. “Paving is expected to begin in April between Gator Lane and Roaches Run.”

The $14.8 million project involves turning the two-lane stretch of highway from Tower Road to Connerton Boulevard into a four-lane, divided highway complete with medians and turn lanes. The project also includes a 12-foot-wide path for bikers and walkers that runs along the east side of the road. Funding for the project comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Construction on the project began in the summer of 2009.

Motorists will see some of the new lanes open in coming days.

“An additional southbound lane is expected to be open between just north of Gator Land and Tower Road,” Carson wrote. “This will provide two southbound lanes through the Gator Lane and Wilderness Lake Boulevard intersection.”

Those living with the construction delays are ready for the work to be done, but say they understand the need for the widening.

“It’ll get better,” said Warren Degroat, in an earlier interview. He said the original two-lane roadway was a “disaster.”