Ongoing road construction at a key intersection in Riverview, Florida, is creating traffic challenges that are impacting both drivers and nearby businesses, even as long-term improvements promise relief.
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The Florida Department of Transportation is currently working on a major intersection upgrade at Big Bend Road and U.S. 301 in Hillsborough County. The project includes concrete replacement and the addition of new lanes aimed at improving durability and reducing congestion in one of the region’s fastest-growing areas.
Drivers traveling through the corridor should expect continued lane closures and delays as construction progresses.
Local business owners say the disruptions are already affecting customer traffic.
At a dessert shop along U.S. 301, owner Michael Longman says congestion has made it harder for customers to visit.
“The local people that live here, which is our target audience, Riverview has a large population. They just don’t want to go out on the roads because it’s chaotic,” Longman said.
As population growth has fueled more traffic in the area, construction has compounded the issue, creating accessibility challenges for nearby stores.
“Drivers don’t want to get off. Once they’re in there and dealing with the traffic, they don’t want to come into the parking lot. And these neighboring businesses are feeling the same thing,” Longman said.
Even though much of the heavy construction work is scheduled at night to minimize daytime disruption, businesses say the timing still affects peak hours.
“It drops. Because they do a lot of work in the evenings. And that’s when we’re the busiest,” Longman said.
Despite the short-term inconvenience, the project is designed to bring lasting benefits to the growing Riverview community.
In addition to rebuilding the roadway, crews are expanding Big Bend Road from U.S. 301 to Simmons Loop, adding capacity to accommodate increasing traffic volumes. The upgrades are expected to improve traffic flow, safety, and overall accessibility for both commuters and businesses.
Local business owners remain optimistic about the future once construction is complete.
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“I think when the construction is done, not only is it going to aesthetically a lot prettier to look at when you get off the highway, but the people locally are going to want to come back out. It’s going to help drastically,” Longman said.
FDOT estimates the project will be completed by late next year, at which point the improved infrastructure is expected to better support Riverview’s continued growth.
Riverview has seen rapid residential and commercial development in recent years, contributing to increased traffic demand along major corridors like U.S. 301. Infrastructure upgrades such as this are part of broader regional efforts to modernize transportation networks and support economic activity.
While construction-related disruptions are common in large-scale roadway improvements, projects like the Big Bend Road upgrade often play a critical role in enhancing long-term mobility, reducing travel times, and boosting local business accessibility once completed.
Originally reported by Tim Wronka Hillsborough County in Bay News 9.
