Interstate 75 traffic will be detoured through a portion of Pasco County Friday and Saturday

WESLEY CHAPEL — One direction of Interstate 75 traffic will be detoured to local roads Friday and Saturday nights 16 to set concrete beams for the new Overpass Road bridge.

For the first detour Friday, southbound traffic will be diverted between State Road 52 and State Road 54 beginning at 9 p.m. and ending at 9 a.m. Saturday. The detour route will send traffic off the interstate to State Road 52 then turn it west for a half mile to the next traffic signal, which is Old Pasco Road. Vehicles will then turn left and drive south on Old Pasco Road for 6.75 miles to State Road 54.

Once at State Road 54, also known as Wesley Chapel Boulevard, traffic will turn left at the traffic signal and travel another 7 tenths of a mile back to the ramp to re-enter southbound Interstate 75.

Northbound vehicles on the interstate will be rerouted beginning at 9 p.m. on Saturday between State Road 54 and State Road 52 with the detour ending Sunday at 9 a.m.

Traffic will be directed off of the interstate onto the ramp at State Road 54, then turn left onto State Road 54, also known as Wesley Chapel Boulevard.

Traffic will travel west on State Road 54 for 8 tenths of a mile to Old Pasco Road and turn right on Old Pasco Road at the traffic light. Vehicles will then follow Old Pasco Road north for 6.75 miles to State Road 52, then turn right to drive three quarters of a mile back to Interstate 75. Traffic will go under the interstate, then turn left onto the entrance ramp to return to northbound Interstate 75.

Old Pasco Road, a two-lane road, is expected to be congested during the detour and drivers are encouraged to allow extra time for travel or find an alternative route. Message boards and signs will help direct traffic.