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NewsTampa Bay TimesOctober 25, 2026Hillsborough County

Florida Department of Transportation proposes left-turn lanes and diverging diamond interchange at State Road 54 and U.S. 41

Photo: Tampa Bay Times

The Florida Department of Transportation plans to add left-turn lanes and widen the intersection at State Road 54 and U.S. 41 in a $3.5 million project starting in fall 2027. The agency is also planning a larger diverging diamond interchange estimated to cost over $500 million, while a separate $1.4 million traffic signal project at Lake Patience Road and U.S. 41 is underway for completion in summer 2027.

TransportationRoad ConstructionTraffic Control
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Why It Matters

Drivers traveling through Pasco County face daily congestion and backups at State Road 54 and U.S. 41, which will see lane expansions, median removals, and a potential multi-hundred-million-dollar elevated interchange in the future.

Key Facts

  • The Florida Department of Transportation plans a $3.5 million project to add left-turn lanes at State Road 54 and U.S. 41.
  • The $3.5 million intersection project includes widening the north, east, and south legs, removing medians, milling, and resurfacing.
  • Construction on the State Road 54 and U.S. 41 turn lanes is expected to begin in fall 2027.
  • FDOT is also pursuing a diverging diamond interchange overhaul at State Road 54 and U.S. 41 estimated to cost more than $500 million.
  • Under the preferred interchange alternative, U.S. 41 would be elevated over State Road 54 and SR 597 (Dale Mabry Highway).
  • The Federal Highway Administration has published a notice of final federal agency action on the interchange project, and FDOT has completed its environmental and engineering study.
  • FDOT began work this summer on a $1.4 million traffic signal where Lake Patience Road meets U.S. 41.
  • The Lake Patience Road project includes resurfacing, new sidewalks, pedestrian features, and lighting, and is expected to finish in summer 2027.

Who's Mentioned

locationPasco County“County where the congested intersection and road projects are located.”locationLake Patience Road“Location of a $1.4 million traffic signal project.”locationState Road 54“Intersection location undergoing planned turn lane additions and a future interc”locationDale Mabry Highway“Alternative name for SR 597.”locationSR 597“Also known as Dale Mabry Highway, involved in the preferred interchange alternat”OrganizationFlorida Department of Transportation“Proposing and overseeing the intersection improvements and traffic signal projec”locationU.S. 41“Intersection location intersecting with State Road 54 and Lake Patience Road.”locationRaden Drive“Starting point for the eastbound SR 54 turn lane.”OrganizationFederal Highway Administration“Published a notice of final federal agency action on the interchange project.”locationSunlake Boulevard“Thoroughfare connected by Lake Patience Road.”locationCarson Drive“Starting point for the southbound U.S. 41 turn lane.”locationLeonard Road“Starting point for the northbound U.S. 41 turn lane.”locationLand O’ Lakes Boulevard“Alternative name for U.S. 41.”