301 Update

[Altavia]

Project Description:

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is improving U.S. 301 (State Road
(S.R.) 35) from County Road (C.R.) 470 to Florida's Turnpike in Sumter County.

FDOT plans to widen this portion of U.S. 301 to provide two travel lanes in each direction, separated by a raised median.
The project is divided into three segments:

Segment 1 (FPID 430132-2) from County Road (C.R.) 470 to Industrial Park Drive;

Segment 2 (FPID 430132-4) is a realignment of U.S. 301 from Industrial Park Drive to Warm Springs Avenue; and

Segment 3 (FPID 430132-5) from Warm Springs Avenue to Florida's Turnpike.

In addition to widening, the project includes adding a shared-use path, installing traffic signals at Industrial Park Drive and Warm Springs Avenue, and building a roundabout at Marsh Bend Trail.

Right of way acquisition on the project is underway.

Construction on the first segment (430132-4) is expected to begin in early 2026.

[FloridaGuy66]

My home is close to Marsh Bend/301. I suspect that myself and most of my neighbors will be in a nursing home by the time the 4 lane widening is actually completed.

[shaw8700@outlook.com]

It’s about time.

[Normal]

Anything to help alleviate traffic congestion from 301 the turnpike and 75 will be much appreciated. Thanks for posting the good news.

[villagetinker]

Before moving to TV we had the experience of "road improvements" in PA to improve traffic flow, which worked fine for around 2 years by then the traffic had increased to the point it was as bad as before the improvement. Then look at I4 billions spent and almost daily accidents and delays, I suspect the same will be true for 301. It appears road improvements attract additional housing, businesses, etc., which create additional traffic and more congestion.
I hope I am wrong.

[Billy1]

Will the 301 four lane connect directly to the single lane at the turnpike?

[Two Bills]

Lane widening.
A means of getting more traffic to the next bottleneck a lot faster.

[Altavia]

Will the 301 four lane connect directly to the single lane at the turnpike?

Think that's part of the Turnpike widening that's at least 5yrs away.

[MrFlorida]

We will all be gone before it gets completed.

[Altavia]

... FDOT TO HOST PROJECT OPEN HOUSE
ABOUT U.S. 301 WIDENING AND REALIGNMENT ON 2/20/25 (https://www.wildwood-fl.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_manager/page/4541/final_feb_2025_wwc_newsletter_.pdf)

FDOT TO HOST PROJECT OPEN HOUSE
ABOUT U.S. 301 WIDENING AND REALIGNMENT ON 2/20/25
The Florida Department of Transportation
(FDOT) will be hosting an open house about the proposed widening of U.S. 301 (State Road 35) from County Road 470 to Florida's Turnpike on Thursday, February 20, 2025. The event will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church, 3027 U.S. 301, Wildwood, FL 34785.

According to FDOT, the purpose of this project is to widen U.S. 301 to four lanes to address traffic growth and congestion, accommodate the high volume of existing and future truck traffic, and support social and economic opportunities for the fast-growing region. The project includes realigning a portion of U.S. 301 around the City of Coleman.

Attendees of the open house will be able to view a looping presentation and project displays, speak with project team members, and submit comments or questions. In addition to the in-person event, FDOT is offering the following online opportunities to learn more and submit feedback:
• An online webinar the same day at 5:30 p.m., allowing participants to watch a project presentation and submit written questions or comments. Register at
Need Help Finding Something? (https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/)
8125828979352076377.

• The project website will include the same project materials and opportunity to provide feedback beginning Thursday, February 20,
2025. Comments or questions submitted by March 3, 2025, will be included in the open house record. The project website is at 430132-1 US 301 (SR 35) from CR 470 to SR 44 (http://www.cflroads.com/project/430132-1).
Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting Melissa McKinney, FDOT District Five Title VI Coordinator, at Melissa.McKinney@dot.state.fl.us.

Persons who require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Carolyn Fitzwilliam at 386-943-5221 or Carolyn.Fitzwilliam@dot.state.fl.us. at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact FDOT by using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-

[FloridaGuy66]

I'm really hoping that Clay Drain road being widened to 2 lanes in each direction is a part of this as I've heard rumored. People need a proper bypass to avoid going through main street in Wildwood once they are north of the turnpike.

[vintageogauge]

I'm really hoping that Clay Drain road being widened to 2 lanes in each direction is a part of this as I've heard rumored. People need a proper bypass to avoid going through main street in Wildwood once they are north of the turnpike.

I doubt that we'll live to see that as it's not a state or county road.

[KShowalter]

Project Description:

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is improving U.S. 301 (State Road
(S.R.) 35) from County Road (C.R.) 470 to Florida's Turnpike in Sumter County.

FDOT plans to widen this portion of U.S. 301 to provide two travel lanes in each direction, separated by a raised median.
The project is divided into three segments:

Segment 1 (FPID 430132-2) from County Road (C.R.) 470 to Industrial Park Drive;

Segment 2 (FPID 430132-4) is a realignment of U.S. 301 from Industrial Park Drive to Warm Springs Avenue; and

Segment 3 (FPID 430132-5) from Warm Springs Avenue to Florida's Turnpike.

In addition to widening, the project includes adding a shared-use path, installing traffic signals at Industrial Park Drive and Warm Springs Avenue, and building a roundabout at Marsh Bend Trail.

Right of way acquisition on the project is underway.

Construction on the first segment (430132-4) is expected to begin in early 2026.

I guess I don't understand why they want to go from 4 lane to 2 lane and back to 4 lane. If Phase 3 is done first, it will tie into the lights at the interstate and the existing four lanes already finished on Main Street. Then ccomplete Phase 2 and then Phase 1. Otherwise traffic will be a hot bottleneck as the phases as they have laid out the completion schedule.

[vintageogauge]

Phase 1 as scheduled will allow all the extra truck traffic from the new Coleman industrial park to flow freely to 470 and I-75 to the west and the Turnpike to the east. Also, based on the drawing with the extra lanes and multi-use lanes there is going to be a lot of frontage lost by private owners along 301, like the junkyard, etc. I wonder if they are going to have turning lanes on either side for the trucks turning into all of the business along there.

[Mrfriendly]

Thank you for this information. I registered for the zoom meeting on Feb 20th to view the FDOT presentation

[Switter]

I wonder if they are going to have turning lanes on either side for the trucks turning into all of the business along there.

This is my one major complaint about the roads in this area, the lack of right turn lanes.

Especially on 441.

I don't know if that's just a Florida thing...

[Sgt Ed]

Will the 301 four lane connect directly to the single lane at the turnpike? I think the FEDERAL DOT wants US 301 to be entirely at least 4 lane.

[Regorp]

Project Description:

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is improving U.S. 301 (State Road
(S.R.) 35) from County Road (C.R.) 470 to Florida's Turnpike in Sumter County.

FDOT plans to widen this portion of U.S. 301 to provide two travel lanes in each direction, separated by a raised median.
The project is divided into three segments:

Segment 1 (FPID 430132-2) from County Road (C.R.) 470 to Industrial Park Drive;

Segment 2 (FPID 430132-4) is a realignment of U.S. 301 from Industrial Park Drive to Warm Springs Avenue; and

Segment 3 (FPID 430132-5) from Warm Springs Avenue to Florida's Turnpike.

In addition to widening, the project includes adding a shared-use path, installing traffic signals at Industrial Park Drive and Warm Springs Avenue, and building a roundabout at Marsh Bend Trail.

Right of way acquisition on the project is underway.

Construction on the first segment (430132-4) is expected to begin in early 2026.. The addition of a roundabout at Marsh Bend Trail will slow down traffic and cause severe backups due to heavy tractor trailer usage. A study needs to be conducted to investigate this potential problem.

[Babubhat]

What is being done about the horrible backups on 301 south at the turnpike? The BP station left turn bump out only allows a few vehicles to wait for a left turn blocking through traffic to the 44 light

[vintageogauge]

My guess is at least 3 years but most likely more. This has not been very well thought out, all that retail land, 1800 feet of frontage and who knows how many acres of back parcels, on the west side just south of the turnpike is going to cause another major headache once all of that land has been developed into retail stores.

[Topspinmo]

Before moving to TV we had the experience of "road improvements" in PA to improve traffic flow, which worked fine for around 2 years by then the traffic had increased to the point it was as bad as before the improvement. Then look at I4 billions spent and almost daily accidents and delays, I suspect the same will be true for 301. It appears road improvements attract additional housing, businesses, etc., which create additional traffic and more congestion.
I hope I am wrong.


I believe you are right, I lived in OKC for 20 years, they never got I-35 or I-40 construction projects done. Buy time the completed section through town it was already outdated. I know guy work road construction and retired doing I-35/I 40 updates in OKC. I went through there in 73 heading for Texas. I move to OKC IN 94 retire in 2014, They was still working on them, finely got rid of raised bridges through downtown after I left.

301 needs to be 4 lanes with turning lanes through Summerfield, it bottom necks down traffic from Ocala and 75 traffic going to and from.

[Babubhat]

I'm really hoping that Clay Drain road being widened to 2 lanes in each direction is a part of this as I've heard rumored. People need a proper bypass to avoid going through main street in Wildwood once they are north of the turnpike.

Where are the cars going to exit on Clay drain road? Signature drive intersection by Sparr is already a traffic nightmare.

[FloridaGuy66]

Where are the cars going to exit on Clay drain road? Signature drive intersection by Sparr is already a traffic nightmare.

CR 179 which is an unused road that goes between Clay Drain Rd and SR44 with the UF Health Brownwood emergency location to the East of it. It seems that was the long term plan at some point.

[Pugchief]

Where are the cars going to exit on Clay drain road? Signature drive intersection by Sparr is already a traffic nightmare.

Obviously, they would need to widen Signature Rd and CR 179 as well for it to work. Not holding my breath....

[harby]

Great, but widen 4 lane road won t improve if there s no improvement or widen to 4 lane road right under the bridge (FL Turnpike) which really make a terrible barrier. Chas

[Babubhat]

CR 179 has zero additional capacity. They are building on the vacant land across from the ER. The ER had to block access because the road was used as a shortcut to Meggison road south through their property.

The new Chipotle prevents any widening of Signature road.