DADE CITY, Fla. — Construction continues on a section of U.S. 98 in Pasco County called the Dade City Bypass to widen the road from two lanes to four.
But a nearby business owner has concerns about what will change there.
When folks visit Ken Woodard’s shop, the Quilted Twins, it’s for one reason.
“This is people’s love,” Woodard said. “They’re making things with their hands for people that they love.”
Over the past seven years, Woodard has built the business into a destination for those into quilting and in need of fabric.
“We have some very loyal customers,” he said. “Our typical customer drives an hour to get here. But then when they get to Dade City and hit the construction, they’re a little bit frustrated when they walk in the store.”
That construction he is talking about is on the Dade City Bypass east of downtown that started in March 2023.
The Florida Department of Transportation is widening the road from two lanes to four between Seventh Street North and Seventh Street South to account for growth in the area.
That’s something Woodard never thought he would see in Dade City.
“When I got here 35-37 years ago, they were sand roads,” he said. “Now they’re two lanes and talking about four lanes. Traffic congestion has just boomed.”
But the roadwork has caused some issues for his customers finding the shop due to road blocks and detours.
Woodard also has concerns about the two roundabouts that will be added. One will be at Seventh Street South and the other will be on Old Lakeland Highway.
Site of future roundabout on Old Lakeland Highway. (Courtesy of FDOT)
“Folks in those lanes are going to be focusing on not crashing into somebody else,” Woodard said.
According to the project website, the road is expected to be done in the fall of 2026. In the meantime, southbound traffic on U.S. 98 is detoured through downtown Dade City.
Woodard’s hope is that when the project is finished, the final result is a positive for his business and his customers.
“I want them to have confidence in coming into the store and enjoying their experience,” he said.