This design-build project is widening US 98, also known as the Dade City Bypass, from two lanes to a four lane highway between 7th St. S and 7th St. N.

Two roundabouts will be built with the project: One is under construction and partially open at 7th Street S and one has been constructed and all movements are open at Old Lakeland Highway.

New traffic signals will be added at the Meridian Avenue, 7th Street N, and River Road intersections. The existing signal at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard will be improved. Sidewalks will be built on both sides of the highway.

With a design-build project, the contractor is responsible for finalizing the design plans and building the improvements. The design portion of the contract began in March 2023. Construction work began in late January 2024.

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PROGRESS UPDATES

November 19, 2025 - The second roundabout partially opened around 2 a.m. for the following traffic movements:

1. Southbound 7th Street to southbound US 98/US 301.
2. Southbound US 98 Bypass to northbound 7th Street.
3. Southbound US 98 Bypass to southbound US 98/US 301.

Construction now shifts to phase 2 with the goal to open all traffic movements through this roundabout by mid-December.

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December 23, 2024 - A new roundabout opened at the intersection of the US 98 Bypass (also US 301) and Old Lakeland Highway. The roundabout connects the two roadways, while maintaining access to businesses on the west side of the corridor. The roundabout is in a single-lane configuration as widening work continues along the US 98 Bypass to eventually open a second lane in 2026. Drivers going to Embassy Plaza and Reliance Auto Repair exit and enter on the west side of the roundabout.

Roundabout Driving Tips

• Reduce your speed as you approach the roundabout.
• Always yield to pedestrians in the roadway and watch for bicyclists in the travel lanes.
• Look left for oncoming traffic (traffic moves through the roundabout in a counterclockwise direction).Yield to traffic already in the roundabout – wait for a gap and then enter. Traffic in the circle has the right of way.
• Do not stop in the roundabout and do not pass other vehicles. Allow emergency vehicles to pass.
• Follow the lane lines and guide signs entering, circling through, and exiting the roundabout.
• All turns exiting the roundabout are right turns. Use your right turn signal when exiting the circle.
• If you pass your exit, simply continue around the circle until you reach it once again.

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**A Virtual Public Meeting was held on this project on November 29, 2022. A copy of the presentation can be found at the video link below under Project Videos. If you would like to view a PDF version of the presentation along with the script, please click on the presentation under Project Files.