Construction will begin in May on US 41 immediately east of the State College of Florida campus entrance to River Road as part of an improvement project led by the Florida Department of Transportation, the West Villages Improvement District and Wellen Park, LLLP. The planned improvements will reduce traffic speeds and enhance safety in a rapidly growing residential and commercial area along US 41. Extensive planning has been done to ensure there will be minimal traffic impacts. Work will begin in the southbound lanes first to coordinate with Phase One construction occurring between Preto Boulevard and West Villages Parkway. During the construction process, extensive landscaping and sidewalks will be added along the roadway, a roundabout will be created at Mezzo Drive (opposite Brimstone Hill Boulevard) and turn lanes will be created at Mezzo Drive (opposite Tortuga Cay Drive) and Pinot Drive. Digital display signage will be visible along US 41 to notify drivers of the construction and changes to traffic patterns. The speed limit will be reduced to 45 miles per hour in the work zone, in accordance with Florida Department of Transportation regulations. Construction will take place Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. with occasional evening or night hours as needed. Once construction is completed in 2024, the speed limit will be 45 miles per hour to maximize pedestrian and cyclist safety to residents crossing US 41. Reduced speed will also help mitigate noise impacts associated with traffic. The planned improvements are being funded by Wellen Park, LLLP and there is no fee or cost impact to homeowners via the West Villages Improvement District annual assessments for the initial planning, design, permitting and construction of the planned improvements. The new landscaping along US 41 will be regularly maintained by the West Villages Improvement District at the same level of service it maintains in front of IslandWalk and Gran Paradiso. Wellen Park residents and the public are invited to attend a public information open house, 6-8 p.m., April 25, 2023, at the Wellen Park Welcome Center, 12275 Mercado Drive, Venice, to learn more about the planned US 41 improvements. RSVPs are strongly encouraged at westvillagesid.org. Meeting details, project updates and more information are also available online.