$1.7M Upgrade at I-75's Wesley Chapel Exit Starts Monday

WESLEY CHAPEL / PASCO COUNTY, FL — Drivers using I-75's Wesley Chapel exit should plan around overnight closures starting next week, as FDOT kicks off a $1.7 million upgrade to the interchange.

What's Happening

The project adds a second left-turn lane at the southbound Exit 279 ramp. Overnight ramp lane closures begin Monday, Oct. 5, and continue Monday through Thursday nights, Oct. 5-8, starting at 8 p.m. All turns will remain available throughout construction, even during the overnight closures.

A separate but related closure affects Bruce B. Downs Boulevard from about 1.5 miles north of State Road 56 to Landry Lane, running Sunday through Thursday nights, Oct. 4-8, starting at 8:30 p.m.

When It Wraps Up

FDOT lists spring 2027 as the estimated completion date for the full project. The announced October closures cover only the first week of work.

Why It Matters for Wesley Chapel

Exit 279 is one of the busiest interchanges serving Wesley Chapel, and a second left-turn lane should help ease backups for drivers heading into the heart of the community during peak hours. In the meantime, overnight commuters and anyone heading out late should expect lane restrictions through the first full week of October.

📍 I-75 Exit 279 & Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Wesley Chapel, FL

📅 Closures: October 4-9, 2026 (overnight) | Project completion: Spring 2027

🌐 Reporting from the Wesley Chapel Community Website, per FDOT's October 4-10 traffic notice