West Villages Improvement District and the Wellen Park Development Team are leading an improvement project along US 41.

The planned improvements are being funded by Wellen Park, LLLP. There is no fee or cost impact to homeowners via the WVID annual assessments for the initial planning, design, permitting and construction of the planned improvements.

The planned improvements will reduce the speed of traffic and enhance safety for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists along a US 41 in an area that is growing rapidly with new residential and commercial construction. Reduced speed will also help mitigate noise impacts associated with US 41 traffic.

Construction timeframe: January 2023 to 2024

The improvements are being completed in two phases to add sidewalk pathways, curbs, landscaping and functional traffic roundabouts. Extensive planning has been done to ensure there will be minimal traffic impacts.

Phase 1 Construction Update (PDF)

After construction began in early 2023 and traffic was moved into single lane configuration on the north lanes of US 41, unforeseen utility conflicts were discovered between the planned improvements and telecommunication and water/wastewater utility infrastructure. This necessitated a pause in the “above-ground” construction work while the conflicts were assessed and resolved. Although it may have appeared that no construction work was taking place from the road, quite a bit of planning/design work was completed at a relative quick pace. As of early September 2023, all conflicts were resolved and work has resumed on construction for the planned improvements.

Phase 1 Timeline Update

Early 2024
• All of the right turns in and out of roads that connect to US 41 will be completed and open.
• Wellen Park Boulevard will be open as the main entrance into Downtown Wellen.
• US 41 southbound traffic can turn right onto Wellen Park Boulevard.

Summer 2024
• Phase 1 construction will be completed along US 41 regarding the roundabout and lane work.

Phase 2 Construction Update (PDF)

In order to expedite the construction timeline and further reduce traffic impacts, FDOT approved a request to change the maintenance of traffic to first redirect traffic to southbound lanes with a single lane of traffic for each direction and begin northbound work first.

There are several benefits to making this change.
• Most notably, the construction timeline will be reduced by 6-8 months. This means instead of completing Phase 2 work in January 2025, it will be completed in May 2024.
• Sidewalk connections between Renaissance and Oasis neighborhoods will be completed faster and create a continuous sidewalk path to Downtown Wellen, ensuring greater pedestrian
and cyclist safety.

Oasis Neighborhood Access: Throughout the construction process, southbound traffic will always have a dedicated left turn lane to allow access to Brimstone Hill Boulevard.

Mezzo Drive (east) and Pinot Drive Access:
• US 41 southbound traffic can make right turns onto Mezzo Drive (east).
• Mezzo Drive (east) traffic can make right turns onto US 41 southbound.
• US 41 southbound traffic can make right turns onto Pinot Drive.
• Pinot Drive traffic can make right turns onto US 41 southbound.

Phase 2 Timeline Update

Late October 2023
• Mezzo Drive (east) construction will be completed.
• US 41 northbound traffic can make left turns onto Mezzo Drive (east).

Early November 2023
• US 41 traffic is moved to existing southbound lanes and reduced to one lane in each direction northbound/southbound from State College of Florida campus entrance to Mezzo Drive (east) until
January 2024. Speed limit is reduced to 45 mph.

January 2024
• US 41 traffic is moved to northbound lanes, maintaining one lane in each direction northbound/southbound from State College of Florida campus entrance to Mezzo Drive (east) until work completed in May 2024.

SPEED REDUCTION: Upon completion of Phases 1 & 2, the speed limit will be set at 45 miles per hour along US 41 from Mezzo Drive to Preto Boulevard to maximize motorist, pedestrian and cyclist safety.

Phase 2 Construction Update (PDF)

Beginning Monday, October 23, crews will be painting pavement markings and installing reflectors, traffic delineators and a barrier wall in preparation for US 41 traffic to be moved to the existing southbound lanes in early November. During this time, we will be adjusting the location of the left turn lane from US 41 southbound to Brimstone Hill Blvd.

Attention: From Monday, October 23 to Monday, October 30, it may be necessary to temporarily close the left turn lane overnight, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. We will issue an update as soon as possible each day that an overnight lane closure will be necessary. Closures may not be needed during these dates, but it is possible. During nights when the left turn lane is temporarily closed overnight, US 41 southbound traffic should continue to the Tortuga neighborhood entrance at Tortuga Cay Drive and complete a Uturn to turn right into the Oasis neighborhood at Brimstone Hill Blvd. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we complete this stage of construction for Phase Two of the US 41 Improvements Project.

Phase 2 Timeline Update

Late October 2023
• Mezzo Drive (east) construction will be completed.
• US 41 northbound traffic can make left turns onto Mezzo Drive (east).

Early November 2023
• US 41 traffic is moved to existing southbound lanes and reduced to one lane in each direction northbound/southbound from State College of Florida campus entrance to Mezzo Drive (east) until January 2024. Speed limit is reduced to 45 mph.

January 2024
• US 41 traffic is moved to northbound lanes, maintaining one lane in each direction northbound/southbound from State College of Florida campus entrance to Mezzo Drive (east) until work completed in May 2024.

SPEED REDUCTION: To ensure safety, the speed limit will be reduced to 45 miles per hour throughout the work zone. Upon completion of Phases 1 & 2, the speed limit will remain at 45 miles per hour along US 41 from Mezzo Drive (east) to Preto Boulevard to maximize pedestrian and cyclist safety.

FAQs

What are these improvements going to cost me as a homeowner?

Nothing. There is no fee or cost impact to homeowners via the WVID annual assessments for the initial planning, design, permitting and construction of the planned improvements.

What is the purpose of the US 41 improvements?

The West Villages Improvement District and Wellen Park are working to enhance safety for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists along US 41 in an area that is growing rapidly with new residential and commercial construction. In addition to the added curbs, landscaping and functional traffic roundabouts, reduced speed limits will also help mitigate roadway noise.

How long is construction expected to last during the project?

Phase One construction began in January 2023 and Phase Two construction began in May 2023. Both phases will be completed in 2024.

Will there be any road closures during construction?

Extensive planning has been done to ensure there will be minimal traffic impacts. Lanes will be reduced with a 45 miles per hour speed limit throughout the work zone and roundabouts will be built in sections with traffic being redirected accordingly. While initial plans do not include any planned road closures, our team will be continuously monitoring traffic impacts and adjust plans, as needed.

Will there be any permanent traffic changes following construction?

Upon completion of Phases 1 and 2, the speed limit will be set at 45 miles per hour along US 41 from Mezzo Drive to Preto Boulevard to maximize motorist, pedestrian and cyclist safety. Reduced speed will also help mitigate noise impacts associated with US 41 traffic.

How can I stay informed of project updates?

Project updates will be posted on this webpage periodically.