FDOT Emergency Travel Alert: For information on the current situation, please visit the following
page - 
US 98 Widening and Realignment from the Polk County line to US 301 443368-3-52-01
Project Details
| Work Type | Widening and Realignment |
|---|---|
| Phase | Construction |
| Limits | from the Polk County line to US 301 at Clinton Avenue |
| Project Start | August 8, 2023 |
| Length | 8.7 miles |
| City | |
| County | |
| Road | |
| Construction Cost | $146.7 million |
| Estimated Completion | Fall 2028 |
| Contractor | Prince-Ajax US 98 Constructors |
About
This design-build project will widen US 98 creating a 4-lane divided roadway from the Polk County line to north of Townsend Road and realign US 98 from north of Townsend Road to US 301.
The realignment allows US 98 to align with Clinton Avenue, which became the new SR 52 at the intersection of US 301 in February 2023.
Four new roundabouts will be built, including one at the new intersection of US 98 and Clinton Avenue east of US 301.There will also be 3 new signalized intersections.
The existing bridge over CSX Railroad and old Lakeland Highway will be replaced with twin bridges.
There will be a 6-foot sidewalk on the east side of the road and a 10-foot wide shared use path on the west side of the road that will connect to the Withlacoochee State Trail on US 301.
The contractor is responsible for finalizing the design plans and building the improvements. Construction officially began with clearing activities on February 12, 2024.
Traffic Advisory
Recent traffic shifts have moved traffic in several areas toward the west side of the US 98 corridor in northern Polk County and southern Pasco County. Drivers are asked to be especially alert on eastbound CR 54 approaching US 98, as traffic on US 98 has been shifted closer to CR 54 at the intersection. Use caution driving through the area and be alert to workers, equipment, traffic control devices, and periodic flagging operations. Speed limits are reduced in the construction zones in both counties (45 MPH south of CR 54 in Polk County and 50 MPH north of CR 54, then reduced to 45 MPH at Janmar Road in Pasco County).
____________________
Widening of US 98 is underway in Polk County adjacent to this Pasco County project. Click here for information on the US 98 project in Polk County.
Contact Information
| Project Information |
|---|
|
John McShaffrey
813-975-6930
john.mcshaffrey@dot.state.fl.us
|
| Media Contact |
|
Kris Carson
813-975-6060
Kristen.Carson@dot.state.fl.us
|
Closures
-
US 98 between CR 54 and the Hillsborough River bridge (about 1.5 miles north of CR 54)
Periodic lane closures/flagging operations: Monday, January 12 through Friday, January 16 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
US 98 between Old Lakeland Highway and Townsend Road
Periodic lane closures/flagging operations: Monday, January 12 through Friday, January 16 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. -
Wilds Road to close east of US 98 during the day
Dade City, FL – A temporary closure of Wilds Road where the new alignment of US 98 will cross (east of Ewing Drive) is expected to begin Wednesday, January 7, 2026. The closure is needed for construction of the US 98 crossing in that area. Wilds Road is expected to be closed between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday (January 7-9). If the work is not completed by Friday, the closures may also take place Monday, January 12 and Tuesday, January 13.
DETOUR: Depending on their destination, drivers will use combinations of US 98, Wilds Road, Jim Jordan Road, Old Lakeland Highway, and Townsend Road to get around the closed portion of Wilds Road.
Note: Further along in the project, access to the new alignment of US 98 from Wilds Road will be permanently limited to right turns onto US 98 (traffic won’t be able to cross US 98) and drivers will need to use roundabouts that will be constructed north and south of Wilds Road to access the other side. Traffic turning from US 98 onto Wilds Road will have access from both directions of US 98.
