Wesley Chapel-area commuters can expect construction to begin by fall 2027 on a $3.5 million project to add left-turn lanes at State Road 54 and U.S. 41.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) wants to widen the intersection, one of the most congested in Pasco County. The agency held a public meeting Oct. 5 at Land O' Lakes Heritage Park, where dozens of residents showed up to learn about the plans and raise questions, WFTS reported.

The project would widen the north, east and south legs of the intersection to make room for the new lanes, removing some medians in the process. The work also includes milling and resurfacing, according to the FDOT project page. The improvements cover about 0.63 miles along U.S. 41 from Leonard Road to Carson Drive and along SR 54 east of U.S. 41 to Raden Drive.

FDOT spokesperson Kris Carson said the project will add a third left-turn lane on the north, east and south legs and close some medians, according to WFTS.

Not everyone is convinced

Land O' Lakes resident Sara Hymel said she worries the project will push traffic into nearby areas.

"I'm skeptical that adding a turning lane and cutting off local traffic to accesses that we're used to will create congestion in other areas," Hymel said, according to WFTS.

A bigger overhaul down the road

The turn lanes are a near-term fix. FDOT is also pursuing a diverging diamond interchange estimated to cost more than $500 million, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Under the preferred alternative, U.S. 41 would be elevated over SR 54 and SR 597 (Dale Mabry Highway).

Carson said the larger project could still be several years away, according to WFTS. FDOT's environmental and engineering study is complete. The Federal Highway Administration published its notice of final federal agency action on Aug. 31, 2026, for project 419182-1, according to the Federal Register. The notice does not identify construction funding.

Nearby signal under construction

FDOT is also building a $1.4 million traffic signal at Lake Patience Road and U.S. 41. That signal is expected to be finished in summer 2027, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

Residents with questions about the turn-lane project can contact FDOT design manager Eyra Cash at 813-975-6164.