Traffic Watch for Manatee and Sarasota Counties

FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 21, 2021

Motorists are reminded to wear safety belts and drive with caution, courtesy, common sense, and patience as they travel through work zones. Remember, speeding fines are doubled in work zones.

As a reminder, travelers can visit www.FL511.com or dial “511” from their phone to
learn about traffic conditions on major roadways across the state.
If you know before you go, you can plan accordingly and save time and money.

MANATEE COUNTY

I-75 at SR 70 Interchange (Exit 217): Construction project: This week, crews will work on widening I-75, the ramps, and median work on SR 70.

• Motorists should expect lane closures on I-75 during nighttime/overnight hours from 8:45 p.m. to 6 a.m. (northbound) or 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. (southbound) through the duration of the construction.
• Motorists should expect lane closures on SR 70 during nighttime/overnight hours from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through the duration of the construction.
• Motorists should expect lane shifts on I-75 and SR 70 through the duration of the construction.
• Drivers should exercise caution and be aware of construction vehicles entering and exiting the interstate through the duration of the construction.

Variable message signs will be in place to alert drivers that work is underway. Estimated completion is mid-2021. The contractor is Sacyr Construction USA, LLC.

I-275 at US 19 (Exit 2): Construction project: Crews will remove the existing high mast lighting systems and replace with conventional lighting systems.  This week, crews will begin trenching for the conduit. Variable message signs will be in place to alert drivers that work is underway. Estimated completion is mid-2021. The contractor is Highway Safety Devices.

I-275 leading up to the southbound Williams Bayou Overpass (MM 4.5):  Maintenance project: Maintenance crew will be repairing a multi-post sign in the southbound right lane on I-275 before the Williams Bayou overpass.  Expect an overnight lane closure on Thursday, February 25, 2021, starting at 11:30 p.m.

US 41/ US 301 and 13^th Avenue West: Construction project: crews will be working in the area adding a right turn lane, milling and resurfacing, base work, drainage improvements, curbs and gutters, traffic signals, lighting, highway signing, pavement marking, sidewalks, and adding Intelligent Transportation System improvements.

• On 13th Avenue west, there should be no daytime lane closures from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. so traffic should be mostly unaffected.
• On 13th Avenue west, the right sidewalk leading up to the corner of US 301 will be closed. A crosswalk will be installed prior to the intersection or use the alternate side of the street or an alternate route.
• Expect noise from back-up alarms, trucks, and construction vehicles.
• Work is expected during daytime and evening/ overnight hours.
• As early as March, a temporary right lane closure will be needed on US 301.

The contractor is MSB Services LLC. Expected completion is late spring 2021.

US 19 from US 41 to Terra Ceia Road: Construction project: work includes resurfacing the roadway, improving drainage and constructing a sidewalk. Work is in the final stages of completion. Daytime single-lane closures between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and overnight lane closures between 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. are allowed throughout construction. AJAX Paving Industries of Florida is the contractor. Expected completion is early 2021.

SR 684 / Cortez Road from 123^rd Street W to 119^th Street W and from 123^rd Street W to 86^th Street W: Construction project: work includes realigning the intersection of SR 684/Cortez Road and 119^th Street west, while also resurfacing the roadway, improving drainage, constructing a sidewalk and installing new highway lighting.  The project is in the final stages of completion with only intermittent lane closures if needed. AJAX Paving Industries is the contractor. Expected completion is first quarter 2021.

SR 64 at Uihlein Road: Construction permit project: There will be intermittent lane closures on both east and westbound lanes through February 21, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the construction of a left turn lane, right turn lane, and driveway connection. 

SR 64 at Greyhawk Boulevard/Pope Road: Construction project: Construction of a roundabout at SR 64 and Greyhawk Boulevard/Pope Road includes installing pedestrian activated crossings on all legs of the roundabout, adding lighting and landscaping, and installing a new traffic signal and crosswalks at SR 64 and 117^th Street east.  The contractor is Watson Civil Construction, Inc. Expected completion is summer 2021, weather permitting.

• Pope Road is closed to thru traffic, utilize the roundabout at SR 64 and White Eagle Boulevard/Rye Road.
• The Eastbound travel lanes have been reduced to one lane and shifted to the north side of the median through the project.
• Travel for both westbound and eastbound traffic has been reduced to one lane in each direction throughout the project limits at the Greyhawk and Pope Road intersection.
• Signal, lighting and sidewalk work will be taking place at 117^th Street East. 
• All scheduled work will take place during daytime hours.
• Tentative right lane closure at SR 64 and 117th Street east to accommodate sidewalk and lighting construction.
• Possible left lane closure from Upper Manatee River Road onto SR 64 and right- lane closure from SR 64 onto Upper Manatee River Road for location verification of subsurface utilities.

SARASOTA COUNTY

US 41 Roundabouts at 10^th Street and 14^th Street:  Construction project:

• Work on curb, sidewalk, brick pavers and final items throughout the project limits.
• HAWK pedestrian signal repairs and adjustments at 10^th Street and 14^th Street.
• Landscaping and irrigation adjustments, as needed.
• Final signage installation and adjustments throughout the project limits.

Motorists are urged to use caution and watch for workers, construction vehicles, pickup trucks and other construction equipment within the work zone and entering or exiting the travel lanes.

Motorist entering the roundabout regardless of direction of travel, are required to YIELD to traffic already within the roundabout and follow roundabout signage and driving conditions.

Permanent speed limit set to 35 mph. Speeding fines are doubled in the construction area when workers are present.

Expect noise from back up alarms, trucks, and construction vehicles throughout the project corridor.

Work is expected during daytime hours, but some activities may require weekend and nighttime work.

Improvements being made as part of this project consist of reconstructing the signalized intersections and replacing them with roundabouts, enhancing connectivity, circulation and safety. US 41 will be widened between the two intersections and will include bike lanes as well as dedicated turn lanes, a 10-foot sidewalk along the west side, and a six-foot sidewalk along the east side. Other improvements include raised islands for pedestrian refuge at the intersections of US 41 at 10^th Street and 14^th Street, pedestrian signals, LED streetlights, landscaping, and City of Sarasota utility and underground drainage structure replacements. Expected completion is early winter 2021. The contractor is IBT Construction LLC.

US 41 from Blackburn Point Road to Preymore Street: Construction project: Work includes resurfacing the roadway, improving drainage, constructing sidewalks, replacing the US 41 northbound bridge over North Creek, and installing new highway lighting along the three-mile project. 

• Motorists should expect temporary lane closures both north and southbound throughout the remainder of the project.  The contract allows northbound lane closures any time between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and southbound from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 
• For the next three weeks, expect temporary lane closures northbound between Bay Acres and Bay Street.
• Expect temporary lane closures on the northbound side between Green Street and Washington Avenue for approximately two weeks.
• The southbound left turn lane onto Holy Spirit Lane will be briefly closed for new drainage installation.
• As early as March 1, 2021, a traffic shift will occur between Bay Street and Washington Avenue for both north and southbound lanes, moving to the final configuration.
• All work is weather permitting and may cause schedule and contractor adjustments.

Bergeron Land Development, Inc. is the contractor. Expected overall project completion is spring 2021.

US 41 (Venice Bypass) from Center Road to Gulf Coast Boulevard: Construction project: Crews are widening US 41 from Center Road to Gulf Coast Boulevard to a six-lane highway, replacing traffic signals, installing new pavement markings and signage; installing concrete curb and sidewalks; improving new drainage; and installing new highway lighting. Use caution and watch for changes in the traffic pattern. The contractor is Bergeron Land Development, Inc. Expected completion is spring 2021. 

• A new traffic switch will go into effect on Tuesday morning, February 23, 2021. The northbound lanes will be shifted east onto the newly paved road so that the contractor can begin work in the median.
• Intermittent daytime lane closures will be in effect on northbound US 41 Bypass from Center Roadto Venice Avenue from 8m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please watch for crews in the roadway.
• Pedestrian traffic has been shifted to the newly constructed sidewalk on the west side of the roadway and a temporary pedestrian access pathway has been established on the east side.
• Crews are working within the driveways and the right-of-way along the northbound and southbound lanes of US 41. Please use caution when turning into businesses and shopping plazas. 

US 41 from Panama Drive to 15^th Street: Construction permit project: There will be intermittent north and southbound lane closures thru February 29, 2021, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.  Project includes median utility work and the construction of a left turn lane and several driveway connections along US 41.  Please use caution and expect possible delays.

SR 789 at New Pass Bridge, Longboat Key: Bridge construction: The improvement project includes structural, mechanical, and electrical repairs to the bridge. Two lanes of traffic will be maintained during the construction but please use caution in the area as lane patterns will be adjusted. If nighttime bridge closures are required, they will be done between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. with no detour longer than 30 minutes.

• A new traffic pattern is in effect, shifting lanes to allow for construction.  Please use caution in the area.
• Pedestrians and bicyclists must use the protected sidewalk on the west side of the bridge for the duration.
• The bridge will require a 6-hour advance reservation for openings thru July 31, 2021.

The contractor is Quinn Construction. Completion is expected by summer 2021.