A long-in-the-making road project in Wesley Chapel is now partially open.
State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, just east of Curly Road headed toward Zephyrhills, has now opened its new lanes following its widening project that began in November 2017.
Starting at Curly Road and ending at Morris Bridge Road and Eiland Boulevard, there are now four lanes on the road, and then there are six lanes once State Road 54 hits Meadow Pointe Boulevard.
State Road 54 reverts back to two lanes, heading east and west, as construction work continues to finish the lanes and intersection at Morris Bridge and Eiland.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), in preparation for Hurricane Idalia impacts, removed barrels in the construction zone from east of Curley and to the east of Morris Bridge/Eiland to assist in hurricane evacuation and eliminate potential projectiles.
According to FDOT’s projects website, all thru-lanes are open. Dual-turn lanes are still operating in a single-lane turn configuration. Drivers are urged to use caution driving this area as it remains a construction zone.
As construction resumed after the storm, some barrels will be replaced, but lanes are expected to be open except for temporary lane closures in work areas for paving, striping and various work items.
The progress of the road has been of interest to thousands of people who move through the area.
This section of State Road 54 passes by several schools, including Creative School World – Wesley Chapel, Pinecrest Academy and New River Elementary, as well as churches (Calvary Baptist and Trinity Church), the New River Library and communities such as Hamilton Park, Chapel Crossings and Avalon Park.
Published September 13, 2023
