PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Big changes are on the way to U.S. 19 from Countryside to Palm Harbor.

What You Need To Know

  • The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has started construction on U.S. 19 from State Road 580 to County Road 39

  • FDOT plans to turn that area into a controlled access roadway, using frontage roads that run parallel to the highway

  • Work on the $242 million project will be ongoing for six years. Its estimated completion is 2029

The Florida Department of Transportation has started construction on U.S. 19 from State Road 580 to County Road 39, north of Curlew Road, to help with traffic congestion and safety.

But some neighbors and businesses are concerned about that change.

John LaSpina has owned Maple Lanes in Countryside for 10 years, rebuilding the bowling alley into a successful family destination.

But the upcoming changes on U.S. 19 have him worried his business will end up in the gutter.

“We’re being buried under this hill without any consideration for how we sustain,” LaSpina said in an interview.

Now, the bowling alley is right off U.S. 19. But in the future, it will be on a new frontage road.

FDOT plans to turn that area into a “controlled access roadway.”

That means frontage roads will be added that run parallel to U.S. 19. Drivers will use those to access businesses and neighborhoods. New interchanges will be constructed as well.

The idea is that this separates fast traffic on U.S. 19 from local traffic. U.S. 19 is already elevated like this for 12 miles south of SR-580.

But there’s another concern for LaSpina: He is concerned about a new pedestrian tunnel being built as well.

“To have a tunnel, where there’s never been a tunnel before, gives me the willies really,” LaSpina said.

FDOT spokesperson Kris Carson says the changes are needed both for traffic and pedestrian safety.

“We don’t really foresee the tunnel being an issue,” Caron said in an interview. “We’ve built other tunnels in other places. The pedestrians use it. We have to look at pedestrian safety. Unfortunately, the state of Florida has a real problem with pedestrians being hit and killed and injured. So that safety is a priority.”

That underpass will be added between Evans Road and Republic Drive. A pedestrian bridge over U.S. 19 will be added at Northside Drive.

Road work is now starting on the $242 million project and it will be ongoing for six years. Its estimated completion is 2029.

LaSpina is hopeful the construction impact will be minimal and that his customers will still be able to find their way to the lanes.

“We’ve always brought people together. We’ve always built comraderies. This doesn’t change that,” LaSpina said.

For more information and construction updates, visit FDOT.