Lane closures on U.S. 301 between the Manatee County line and Sun City Center Boulevard began Sunday, July 26, and continue nightly through Saturday, Aug. 1, from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. The Florida Department of Transportation announced the closures as part of maintenance work across several Tampa Bay counties.

The affected stretch passes directly through the Ruskin area and connects Apollo Beach and Sun City Center residents to Manatee County. Lanes reopen each morning by 6:30 a.m.

A second closure adds to the squeeze at Big Bend Road

A separate set of lane closures also applies to U.S. 301 at Big Bend Road from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Tuesday, July 28, through Thursday, July 30. That intersection sits just north of the main closure zone, meaning drivers heading toward Apollo Beach from Sun City Center could encounter back-to-back work zones on those three nights.

A two-lane corridor already struggling with traffic

The segment of U.S. 301 between Sun City Center and Parrish has only two lanes and no turn lane at several access points, according to a Monday, July 20, Spectrum Bay News 9 report on the corridor. Residents of Little Manatee Springs, a retirement community off U.S. 301, told Bay News 9 that during busy periods drivers can wait several minutes just to turn onto the highway.

FDOT District 7 is separately studying whether to widen U.S. 301 to a multi-lane divided highway between Moccasin Wallow Road and State Road 674 (Sun City Center Boulevard). A public hearing on that study is tentatively scheduled for summer or fall 2026, according to FDOT's project page.

FDOT's advice for overnight drivers

FDOT urged drivers to slow down in work zones, stay alert for crews and allow extra travel time during overnight commutes, according to the agency's announcement reported by Tampa Bay 28 on Thursday, July 23. FDOT did not specify the type of work being performed or recommend alternate routes.

Upcoming dates:

  • Through Saturday, Aug. 1: U.S. 301 lane closures, Manatee County line to Sun City Center Boulevard, 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. nightly
  • Tuesday, July 28, through Thursday, July 30: U.S. 301 lane closures at Big Bend Road, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly
  • Summer/fall 2026 (tentative): FDOT public hearing on U.S. 301 widening study