Lane closures on US 98 in Hernando County affect weekday commuters

The Florida Department of Transportation Tampa Bay office posted a weekly lane-closures advisory showing scheduled maintenance on US 98 in Hernando County that is affecting daytime travel this week. Work is concentrated on the stretch from north of CR 491 (Citrus Way) to north of Landfill Road, with lane closures and flagging operations planned Monday through Friday between 6:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Because the work window falls squarely within peak daylight travel hours, drivers using US 98 should expect delays and potential stops where flaggers will direct traffic. The closure pattern is part of routine district maintenance and work; crews are performing tasks that require alternating lane control to protect workers and move equipment along the corridor.

Local commuters, school buses and commercial vehicles that rely on US 98 for east-west movement across Hernando County will feel the immediate impact. Businesses that depend on timely deliveries may see longer transit times during the daily work period, and residents who travel the Citrus Way and Landfill Road intersections should factor additional minutes into their schedules. Motorists were advised to plan for extra travel time and to exercise caution in the work zone.

The advisory covers a multi-day maintenance window that runs through Friday, January 16, with the work taking place during broad daylight rather than overnight. That scheduling reduces late-night noise and drainage of daytime traffic into small time windows, but it also raises the likelihood that more drivers will encounter controlled traffic at any point during the day.

Flaggers will be onsite to direct vehicles through the active work zones. Obeying flagger signals and posted speed limits is the primary safety measure for protecting both road workers and drivers. Drivers should maintain safe following distances, avoid distractions, and be prepared for short stops on short notice.

The lane closures on this stretch of US 98 are one piece of a wider set of district maintenance activities listed in the Tampa Bay lane-closures advisory for the week. Residents who commute through Hernando County should plan alternative routes where possible, leave earlier for daytime appointments and allow additional time for errands that require crossing US 98.

The takeaway? Expect slower trips on US 98 between CR 491 and Landfill Road during weekday daylight hours, give yourself extra time, and follow flagger directions to get through safely. Our two cents? If your schedule is flexible, shifting travel outside the 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. window will save time and reduce congestion for everyone.