Traffic Watch for Manatee and Sarasota Counties

FOR WEEK JUNE 27, 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, installing concrete barrier wall, and median and drainage work on SR 70.

• No lane closures will be permitted after midnight on Saturday, July 3, through Monday, July 5th, in observance of the Independence Day holiday.
• 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 double lane closures on I-75 during nighttime/overnight hours from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. 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 late-fall 2021. The contractor is Sacyr Construction USA, LLC.

I-75 and Moccasin Wallow Road: Landscape installation: Crews will be installing landscaping so occasional shoulder closures may be required. Estimated completion is August 2021.  The contractor is Frankie Valdez Company. 

I-275 at the southbound SunPass toll booth: Maintenance project: On Monday, June 28, through Thursday, July 1, expect intermittent overnight lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

I-275 at US 19 overpass both east and westbound: Maintenance project: On Monday, June 28, through Thursday, July 1, expect intermittent overnight lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

I-275 at US 41 overpass both east and westbound: Maintenance project: On Monday, June 28, through Thursday, July 1, expect intermittent overnight lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

I-275 at US 19 (Exit 5): Construction project: Crews will remove the existing high mast lighting systems and replace with conventional lighting systems.  This week, crews will install the electrical pull boxes.

• Motorists should expect a lane closure on I-275 during nighttime/overnight hours from 10 a.m. to 5 a.m.

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 at US 41 (Exit 2): Construction project: Crews will remove the existing high mast lighting systems and replace with conventional lighting systems.  This week, crews will install the electrical pull boxes.

• Motorists should expect a lane closure on I-275 during nighttime/overnight hours from 10 a.m. to 5 a.m.

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.

US 41 from SR 64 and US 301, City of Palmetto: Permit project: The Green Bridge will be closed both north and southbound during The City of Palmetto’s Fourth of July Celebration.  Traffic will be detoured from US 41 to 7th Street west over the De Soto bridge from the 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. The City of Palmetto Police Department will direct traffic before and after the event. Please use caution, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic, and expect delays.

SR 684 Cortez Road from US 41/ 14^th Street to 26^th Street: Construction project: Crews have begun a median modification project to control motorist speed and safety through the corridor, provide enhanced lighting, and improve pedestrian and bicycle safety. The posted speed limit will be maintained as will pedestrian access to bus stops and side streets. Lane closures are limited to evening and overnight hours from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Please use caution in the active construction zone. Expected completion is summer 2021, weather permitting. The contractor is Wright Construction Group.

SR 70 west of White Eagle Boulevard: Construction permit project: There will be intermittent east and westbound right lane closures on SR 70, west of White Eagle Boulevard, thru July 24, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Crews will be constructing right and left turn lanes, a median opening, driveway and drainage.  Use caution and expect possible delays.

SR 70 from Creekwood Boulevard to west of Caruso Road: Construction permit project: Through August 2021, a detour is in place for the Caruso Road closure on SR 70 from Creekwood Boulevard to west of Caruso Road.  This is part of the continued 44^th Avenue east improvements project, constructing utility, drainage, and roadway improvements. Please plan additional travel time and use caution in the area.

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 fall 2021, weather permitting.

• TRAFFIC PATTERN – Traffic lanes are detoured onto the south side of the roundabout.
• ** THE SPEED LIMIT HAS BEEN REDUCED TO 25 MPH **
• East and westbound is one lane in each direction through the project.
• The eastbound left turns are temporarily closed at Peace Presbyterian Church, Greyhawk Boulevard and Mill Run.  Utilize SR 64 and Rye Road Roundabout to circle back.
• Pope Road is closed to thru traffic, utilize the roundabout at SR 64 and Rye Road.
• Sidewalks are open on both sides of SR 64. 

SARASOTA COUNTY

I-75 over Raintree Boulevard: Bridge maintenance: On Monday, July 12, DBi Services will be making overnight bridge deck repairs from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.  Expect intermittent northbound left lane closures and use caution in the area.

I-75 over Cowpen Slough (2.5 miles south of SR-681): Bridge maintenance: On Monday, July 12, DBi Services will repair bridge rail and substructure from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Expect intermittent lane closures both north and southbound. Use caution in the area.

US 41 at KMI Bridge: Bridge maintenance: On Monday, June 28, through Thursday, July 1, and Wednesday, July 7, and Thursday, July 8, DBi Services will be making routine bridge repairs.  Expect intermittent lane closures both north and southbound from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

US 41 at Gulfstream Avenue Roundabout: Construction project: Crews will work within the right-of-way, medians, driveways and throughout the project limits. Activities include:

• Night work is scheduled for Tuesday, June 22, and Thursday, June 24, for the installation of sanitary sewer main along the eastern side of the retention pond and installation of temporary traffic signals. Activities expected from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Installation of underground pipe on the west side of US 41 continues.
• Construction of the temporary roadway along the Marina Jacks parking lot continues. Activity involves moving material from the pond site on the east side of US 41 to the west side of US 41. Dump trucks will be hauling material utilizing Gulfstream Avenue and Main Street.
• Marina Jacks north parking lot entrance/exit on Gulfstream Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic. Motorists may access the parking lot via Bayfront Drive at Main Street/Marina Plaza. No through traffic allowed through this area.
• Eastbound through travel lane on Gulfstream Avenue (towards downtown) will remain closed as part of the Pre-Phase of construction. Use alternate routes via Main Street or Fruitville Road.
• Temporary pedestrian paths around the work zone have been implemented. Pedestrian crossings will be available on Fruitville Road or Main Street during construction. Please use designated paths and follow posted detour signs.

Traffic on Gulfstream Avenue may be interrupted. Police officers or flaggers will be present during these times to control traffic. 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.

Construction activities will take place during the daytime and occasionally during nighttime hours. Expect noise and vibration from construction equipment, backup alarms, lighting, vacuum trucks, and pumps.

Detours and lane closures will be in place during various phases of the project. During construction, the speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph on US 41 and Gulfstream Avenue.

Improvements being made as part of this project consist of replacing the existing signalized intersection on US 41 at Gulfstream Avenue with a roundabout, installation of HAWK pedestrian crossing signal system, raised pedestrian refuge islands, replacement of underground drainage structures, utilities, fiber optic, new LED streetlights, reconfiguration of stormwater retention ponds, sidewalks, and pedestrian walkways. Expected completion is early fall 2022. The contractor is Russell Engineering, Inc.

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. 

• During final stages of project completion and clean up, motorists can expect temporary lane closures throughout the project limits. 
• The contract allows northbound lane closures between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and southbound from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 
• All work is weather permitting and may cause schedule and contractor adjustments.

Bergeron Land Development, Inc. is the contractor. Expected completion is July 2021.

US 41 from Indian Avenue to Venice Avenue: The City of Venice will host Fourth of July celebrations from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.  The City of Venice Police Department will direct traffic through the area.  Use caution, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic, and expect delays.

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 July 2021.

• The traffic switch scheduled for Saturday, June 26, has been postponed. At a further date, northbound and southbound traffic will be shifted towards the median, allowing traffic to flow in each direction while the contractor finishes activities near the outside lanes.
• Motorists should expect intermittent interruptions of the median crossings into shopping centers and side streets throughout the month of May while crews perform work in the medians.  Motorists who are not able to turn at the desired median crossing can travel further down the roadway to make a U-turn where available.
• Intermittent daytime lane closures will be in effect on northbound US 41 Bypass from Center Road to Venice Avenue from 8 a.m. 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 east and west sides of the roadway. Sidewalk construction continues along some segments on the east side of the roadway. Pedestrians should use caution and use the temporary pedestrian access pathway in those areas.  
• Crews are working within the driveways and the right-of-way along the northbound and southbound lanes of US 41. Please use caution turning into businesses and shopping plazas.

SR 681 from en Theos Lane, Venice: Construction permit project: Construction will begin for a housing development entrance, left and right turn lanes, a median opening, and drainage. Motorists should expect east and westbound lane closures through June 30, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  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.

• Equipment testing will be required for the remainder of the project.  Expect possible non-marine bridge openings from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Motorists can expect temporary lane shifts as needed for the remainder of the project. Both lanes will remain open.
• Pedestrians and bicyclists can only use the protected sidewalk on the west side of the bridge.  Bicyclists must walk their bikes across the grates as permanent signage has always directed.
• For marine openings, a 6-hour advance reservation is required thru July 31, 2021.

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

Stickney Point Bridge and Siesta Key North Bridge: marine closure: during Siesta Key Fourth of July celebrations on Sunday, both island access bridges will be closed to marine openings from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. to facilitate smooth traffic flow on and off the island.