Officials at Pasco County, Florida, have received approval from the US Federal Highway Administration for a new interchange on Interstate 75.

The interchange will be built between State Road 52 and State Road 54 and will offer additional access in the Wesley Chapel area, which has witnessed a large population growth.

"The county has approximately eight years to get the interchange ready to go or the approval process would have to be reinitiated."

It will also provide greater access to East Pasco County, where several developments have been approved or are currently in various stages of planning or construction.

In addition, the interchange will relieve morning and afternoon congestion on State Roads 52, 54 and 56.

Pasco County planning director Richard Gehring said that the county has approximately eight years to get the interchange ready to go or the approval process would have to be reinitiated.

The initial cost of the project is estimated to be approximately $55m, with the overall cost totalling more than $100m. Funding for the project would come from state and local sources, including the ‘Penny for Pasco’ sales tax.