The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is undertaking a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study to consider roadway improvements along US 41 in Hillsborough County. The project begins at the Manatee County line and extends to 12th Street NE, a distance of just over ten miles. The PD&E study involves developing roadway alternatives which include widening US 41 from four to six lanes, and may include evaluation of a one-way pair system of roadways through downtown Ruskin. The project team is evaluating the engineering, social and environmental effects of widening the road and comparing the effects for each build alternative in conjunction with also evaluating a No Build alternative.
US 41 is a major north-south roadway used for travel through Hillsborough County and provides access to many of the area’s major roadways. Expansion of US 41 would provide an additional north-south alternative to I-75. It is also an important roadway in the Tampa Bay area, as it is listed as an emergency evacuation route.
The purpose of the proposed project is to improve safety and traffic flow along US 41 from the Manatee County line to 12th Street NE. The project would be intended to:
- Reduce traffic congestion
- Improve emergency and hurricane evacuation times
- Provide safer access to properties within the corridor