The Florida Department of Transportation is running more than $96 million in active construction along U.S. 301 through South Shore. Additional projects on U.S. 41 through Ruskin push the total higher, and none of the major jobs will finish before late 2026.

The combined U.S. 301 figure covers three concurrent projects: the Big Bend Road intersection ($58.4 million), the Gibsonton Drive intersection ($24.9 million) and a southern repaving near Wimauma ($13.6 million), as The Southshore Circle reported Sept. 16.

Big Bend Road rebuild carries the highest price tag

The $58.4 million rebuild of the U.S. 301 and Big Bend Road intersection in Riverview is the costliest project on the corridor. Contractor Cone & Graham is replacing the asphalt surface with concrete and adding travel lanes along Big Bend Road from Simmons Loop to U.S. 301, according to an FDOT project factsheet. The project started in August 2025. It will not wrap up until late 2027.

Lane closures run nightly: westbound from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and eastbound from 10 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. Residents with questions can reach FDOT project contact Maricelle Venegas at 813-975-6204.

Two more intersections get concrete overhauls

The $24.9 million U.S. 301 and Gibsonton Drive project started Jan. 6, 2025. Ajax Paving Industries of Florida is replacing that intersection's asphalt with concrete and repaving U.S. 301 from Whitt Road to Rivercrest Drive. FDOT listed the estimated completion as summer 2026, though no source has confirmed the project is finished.

A separate $13.6 million project at U.S. 301 and Symmes Road started Sept. 14, 2025. Contractor Gosalia Concrete Constructors is rebuilding the intersection from asphalt to concrete, adding drainage improvements and ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps. FDOT estimates a fall 2026 completion. Lane closures run nightly from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The Southshore Circle also reported that FDOT is repaving 5.67 miles of U.S. 301 from the Manatee County line to State Road 674/Sun City Center Boulevard. That $13.6 million job includes shoulder improvements and new turn lanes at several intersections, with construction expected to continue through late 2026.

U.S. 41 gets bridge repairs and surface treatment

On U.S. 41, FDOT began a $2.1 million bridge maintenance project May 26 on the Little Manatee River crossing in Ruskin. Alexander Design + Build is repairing substructure components, repaving approach slabs and removing a small pier. Intermittent single-lane closures may occur from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The work is expected to finish by spring 2027.

FDOT is also applying a high-friction surface treatment to U.S. 41 from Old US 41-A to Bloomingdale Avenue. Cone & Graham is handling that job, expected to wrap up by spring 2027. No lane closures have been announced.

A future resurfacing project on U.S. 301 from south of Balm Riverview Road to north of Lake St. Charles Boulevard in Riverview is slated to begin in fall 2028.

Residents can track individual projects and sign up for traffic alerts at FDOT's Tampa Bay site using the project numbers listed above, or call FL511 for real-time road closure information.