FDOT makes permanent changes at Fruitville and U.S. 41

Drivers passing through the intersection of Fruitville Road and U.S. 41 should pay particularly close attention to their surroundings this week, as the Florida Department of Transportation will be making permanent changes in the area.

In addition to a dedicated northbound right-turn lane — a trial change aimed at curbing congestion that produced positive results, according to the state agency — FDOT crews will be adjusting the striping of the roadway and adding additional signage.

Those changes are, in part, designed to help control driver behavior, a problem that arose when the right-turn lane was originally installed. Among other adjustments, overhead signs will be installed to alert drivers of the right turn lane, and the leftmost through lane will begin further south, according to FDOT spokesman Robin Stublen.

Crews are scheduled to make the changes overnight on Tuesday. Drivers should expect northbound and southbound lane closures along U.S. 41 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., according to a FDOT release. Although Stublen advised drivers to remain vigilant when traveling through the altered intersection, he said the organization believes the changes should further alleviate traffic problems in the area.

“It should be much easier for people once we go forward,” Stublen said.