Traffic Watch for Manatee and Sarasota Counties: WEEK OF AUGUST 29 – SEPTEMBER 4, 2021

FOR WEEK OF AUGUST 29 – SEPTEMBER 4, 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.

• In observance of the Labor Day Holiday, crews will not work between Friday, September 3, through Monday, September 6, 2021.
• This week, motorists should expect single lane closures on I-75 ramps during nighttime/overnight hours from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
• Motorists should expect single 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 2021. The contractor is Sacyr Construction USA, LLC.

I-75 over Braden River (2.5 miles south of SR-70): Bridge repairs: Crews will be making overnight repairs from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Expect north bound intermittent lane closures.

I-75 over Buffalo Canal (800 feet south of I-275): Bridge repairs: Crews will be making overnight repairs Thursday, September 2, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Motorists can expect intermittent southbound lane closures.

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 fall 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 light poles.

• 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 fall 2021. The contractor is Highway Safety Devices.

SR 684 Cortez Road at 119^th Street: Landscaping project: Crews are installing landscaping on the west corner of the intersection.  Occasional shoulder and lane closures may be required. Estimated completion is October 2021.  The contractor is Superior Lawn and Landscaping.

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.

• Motorists should expect overnight lane closures from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.  Please use caution in the active construction zone.

Expected completion is winter 2022, weather permitting. The contractor is Wright Construction.

SR 70 from Creekwood Boulevard to west of Caruso Road: Construction permit project: Through the end of September 2021, a detour is in place for Caruso Road 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.

**SPEED LIMIT IS 25 MPH THROUGH THE PROJECT**

TRAFFIC SHIFT TO THE FINAL PHASE OF CONSTRUCTION.

• Outside travel lanes are open east and westbound through the project work zone.
• The new westbound entrance/ exit to Greyhawk Boulevard is open.
• Work will continue to take place in the median of SR 64 and Greyhawk Boulevard along with the final construction of the center of the roundabout.
• Left turn lanes are open at Mill Run and Peace Presbyterian Church.  Motorists should expect occasional lane closures as needed to reconstruct the median curb and gutter.
• Pope Road will remain closed to thru traffic, utilize the roundabout at SR 64 and White Eagle Boulevard/Rye Road.
• Pedestrian traffic: Sidewalks are open on both sides of SR 64.

SARASOTA COUNTY

US 41 at Gulfstream Avenue Roundabout: Construction project: Crews will work within the right-of-way, medians, driveways and throughout the project limits.Traffic shift to construction Phase 1A configuration has been implemented. There will no through movement at the intersection, watch for new traffic patterns, traffic signals, and pavement markings. Motorists are urged to use alternate detour route, if possible. Please see the project website link for detailed Phase 1A traffic movements: https://valerin-group.com/wp-content/uploads/Detour-map-Phase-1A.mp4.

Activities include:

• Phase 1A traffic shift adjustments to signals, roadway striping, supplemental signage etc. Roadway striping will be adjusted as necessary to supplement existing signage.
• Excavation for new utility lines continues on the west side of US 41 between Fruitville Road and Gulfstream Avenue.
• Removal of existing curb and asphalt on US 41 and Gulfstream Avenue.
• Night work to add or adjust roadway striping and additional signage will take place during nighttime hours.

Detours/Crossings:

• Pedestrian crossings on US 41 at Gulfstream Avenue and 1^st Street are closed. Temporary pedestrian paths around the work zone are available on Fruitville Road or Main Street during construction. Please use designated paths and follow posted detour signs.
• 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.
• Motorist may not exit the Marina Jacks parking lot via Bayfront Drive at Main Street/Marina Plaza. The south exit at Ringling Boulevard must be used to exit Marina Jacks.
• Eastbound through travel lane on Gulfstream Avenue (towards downtown) will remain closed as Phase 1A adjustments are made but will reopen within the next couple weeks. Use alternate routes via Main Street or Fruitville Road.

Construction activities will take place during the daytime and occasionally during nighttime hours.

Expect noise from grinding asphalt, hammer drills, noise and vibration from construction equipment, backup alarms, vacuum trucks, pumps, and lighting.

Motorists are urged to use alternate detour route, if possible. Please use caution and watch for construction vehicles and trucks entering or exiting the work zone.

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 over Roberts Bay: Bridge maintenance: FDOT and FIU teams will be field testing the bridge superstructure overnight Thursday, September 2, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.  Motorists should expect intermittent northbound lane closures.

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 September 2021. 

• The newly installed traffic signal at Detwiler’s Farm Market is now fully activated.
• Motorists should expectintermittent daytimeand nighttime lane closures as crews conduct final construction activities. Please watch for crews in the roadway.

SR 776 Old Englewood Road from Artists Avenue to Harvard Street, Englewood: Construction permit: FPL will be upgrading existing pole line and cable through September 5, 2021. Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures in both the north and southbound lanes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Please use caution in the area.

SR 776, between Old Englewood Road and Artists Avenue, Englewood: Construction permit: FPL will be upgrading existing pole line and cable through September 30, 2021. Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures in both the east and westbound outside lanes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Please use caution in the area.

SR 72 Clark Road at Proctor Road and Dove Avenue Roundabout: Construction project: Crews will begin work on the new free-flowing roundabout replacing the current signalized intersection. Completion is expected in fall 2022.  The contractor is E & M Equipment.

• During Phase I: the contractor will install sidewalk closures, temporary signals, and construct the north side of the roundabout on SR 72 and the west side of Proctor Road.
• A traffic shift is expected in the next week to two as crews move on to the next phase of construction. Please use caution and be alert to changing lane patterns.
• Motorists should expect temporary lane closures Monday through Friday on SR 72 (Clark Road) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Please use caution in the work zone and be aware of bicyclists sharing the roadway.
• Lane closures are not allowed from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. or during non-work periods.

SR 72 Clark Road at Sawyer Road, Legacy Trail Extension Segment 2: Permit project: Crews will continue to work on the Legacy Trail construction. Please use caution in the area.  Expected completion is the end of September 2021. 

SR 72 Stickney Point Bridge: Bridge repairs: Crews will be making overnight bridge repairs Tuesday, September 7, through Thursday, September 9, from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Motorists can expect intermittent eastbound lane closures.

SR 72 Stickney Point Road between US 41 and Elmwood Avenue: Construction permit project: Motorists should expect intermittent east and westbound lane closures on SR 72 Stickney Point Road between US 41 and Elmwood through Thursday, September 30, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Some night work is possible. Work consists of constructing driveways, traffic signals and median crossings.  Please use caution and expect possible delays.