HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is putting the finishing touches on a repaving project in south Hillsborough County.

What You Need To Know

  • FDOT is paving more than eight miles of US 41 from Gibsonton to Ruskin

  • Crews have added a sidewalk on the west side of the highway

  • The $25 million project also includes replacing the pavement at the intersection of US 41 and Big Bend Rd

More than eight miles of US 41 are being repaved from Gibsonton to Ruskin. That’s part of a bigger project to improve safety in the area as it gets busier.

Derrick Hawkins owns Five Star Auto Repair on US 41. He’s seen the traffic increase firsthand.

“In recent years, we have a lot of new traffic coming here, due to the influx of new people in this area,” Hawkins said.

That’s one reason crews are repaving US 41.  

In addition, FDOT has added a sidewalk on the west side of the highway, which Hawkins feels has been needed for a while.

“This is a highway. People walking on the side of the road. People have been hit before. It’s a safety issue,” Hawkins said.

Hawkins welcomes the improvements there and hopes it can even help his auto shop.

“It could actually make me gain business. By people stopping to look at my sign and knowing where we are,” Hawkins said.

Construction is expected to be done by the end of the year. Drivers can expect nightly closures in the area.

The $25 million project also includes replacing the pavement at the intersection of US 41 and Big Bend Road.