SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will hold a project open house on Thursday, February 20, to update the community on the proposed projects to widen U.S. 301 from County Road 470 to Florida’s Turnpike and realign a portion of U.S. 301 around the City of Coleman.

The in-person open house will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church, 3027 U.S. 301, Wildwood, FL 34785. Attendees will be able to view a looping presentation and project displays, speak with project team members, and submit comments or questions.

The widening of U.S. 301 from two to four lanes will be constructed in three segments. As part of the Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, FDOT is advancing plans to begin construction as soon as summer 2026 on the first segment, a new road from Industrial Park Drive to Warm Springs Avenue that will become a new realigned section of U.S. 301 around the City of Coleman. Work will also include improvements at the Florida’s Turnpike interchange to help relieve congestion.

The purpose of these projects is to address traffic growth and congestion, accommodate the high volume of existing and future truck traffic, and support social and economic opportunities for the fast-growing region.

To provide additional flexibility for stakeholders, the FDOT is also offering online opportunities to get involved:

·       Join an online webinar at 5:30 PM to watch a project presentation and submit written questions or comments using the webinar questions box.  To attend using this option, register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8125828979352076377. Please make sure to provide adequate time to log in to view the presentation in its entirety.

·       Visit the project website at your convenience at www.cflroads.com/project/430132-1. Visitors to the page may watch the project presentation, view project exhibits, and submit comments and questions directly to the project manager. Project materials will be available beginning Thursday, February 20, and will be the same as what will be shared at the in-person open house. While the information will remain on the website throughout the project, please provide comments or questions by March 3, 2025, to have the comments included in the open house record.

Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting Melissa McKinney, FDOT District Five Title VI Coordinator, at Melissa.McKinney@dot.state.fl.us.

Persons who require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Carolyn Fitzwilliam at (386) 943-5221 or by email at Carolyn.Fitzwilliam@dot.state.fl.us at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact us by using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice).