Zephyrhills road closure frustrating drivers with extra traffic

PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Ongoing road work at a busy intersection in Zephyrhills is causing delays on several surrounding roads.

Pasco County closed the intersection of Morris Bridge Road and Chancey Road closed in June for repair work. It may not reopen for several more weeks.

The closure has been causing issues for Zephyrhills residents like Roberto Fernandez, who lives right near the intersection.

“Long commutes if you’re in a vehicle. If you’re a pedestrian, you have to go through a lot of dirt and mud,” Fernandez said. “Even first responders are having issues with it. They hate it. They’ve made that comment to me.”

Pasco County officials say the reason for the long closure is for road repair. Fernandez says he saw a large hole there.

While he agrees it needed to be fixed — the closure is having ripple effects, causing extra traffic on nearby roads like State Road 56, State Road 54 and U.S. 301.

“As far as 56 going to 301, there’s a backup that can take maybe four light changes before you can make left onto 301 into Zephyrhills,” Fernandez said.

Officials say the project was a minor repair at first, but surveyors then found it needed more extensive repairs to prevent washouts or holes.

Pasco County estimates the road will reopen in mid-September.

Fernandez hopes that is the case.

“I just hope they take care of this situation as quickly as possible,” Fernandez said.