Traffic Watch for Manatee and Sarasota Counties

Traffic Watch for Manatee and Sarasota Counties

FOR WEEK OF NOVEMBER 3, 2019

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

Various locations along SR 684 and US 301: Construction project: Crews are installing new highway lighting at various locations along SR 684 from Gulf Drive to 9^th Street W and on US 301 from Tallevast Road to 9^th Street E. Expect nighttime/overnight lane closures from 10:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. Expected completion is early 2020. PowerCore, Inc. is the contractor.

I-275 at the Sunshine Skyway Rest Areas in Manatee and Pinellas Counties: Construction project: Improvements include constructing new rest areas and new parking lots with LED lighting, seawall repairs and extending the seawall at the Manatee County rest area to accommodate a new picnic pavilion.  The Manatee County rest area is closed for renovations. Motorists should use the Pinellas County rest area during this time. The fishing pier will remain open during the closure; however, there will be intermittent flagging operations along the fishing pier access road in Manatee County for moving of equipment and materials. Expected completion is spring 2020. David Nelson Construction Company is the contractor. 

I-275 Southbound Ramp to I-75 Northbound (Exit 228): Construction project: Crews are replacing the concrete bridge deck on the southbound I-275 ramp to northbound I-75. The I-275 southbound ramp to northbound I-75 will remain closed through late fall. Traffic is being detoured north on US 41/S Tamiami Trail to SR 674/E College Avenue in Hillsborough County. A temporary traffic signal has been installed on US 41 at the southbound I-275 exit. Expect nighttime/overnight lane closures on the I-275 southbound ramp to I-75 southbound from 9 p.m. each night to 6 a.m. each morning through Wednesday, November 27. Expect nighttime/overnight lane closures on I-75 northbound and I-75 southbound between Moccasin Wallow Road and just south of the I-275 interchange from 9 p.m. each night to 6 a.m. each morning through Wednesday, November 27. Use caution and watch for changes in the traffic pattern. Expected completion is spring 2020. Cone & Graham, Inc. is the contractor.

I-75 at SR 70 Interchange (Exit 217):  Construction project: This week, crews will work on widening I-75, the ramps, retaining walls, noise walls, excavating interchange and SR 70 stormwater ponds and drainage, and working on the bridges over SR 70 and the Braden River.

• 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 late 2021. The contractor is Sacyr Construction USA, LLC.

US 301 (State Road 43) from 2^nd Avenue to 51^st Avenue: Construction project: Crews are resurfacing the roadway; improving drainage; installing guardrail and highway lighting, and improving the railroad crossing. Expect nighttime/overnight lane closures from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. and possible daytime lane closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during construction. Superior Asphalt, Inc. is the contractor. Expected completion is summer 2020.

US 301 (State Road 43) from Moccasin Wallow Road to the Hillsborough County Line: Construction project: Watch for daytime shoulder closures as crews install project signs, erosion control devices and begin milling and paving operations. The improvements under this contract consist of milling and resurfacing, super elevation correction, shoulder reconstruction, turnout construction, drainage improvements, shoulder treatment, signing and pavement markings.

SR 789 at the Longboat Key Pass Bridge: Construction project: Crews are making structural, electrical and mechanical repairs on the bridge. Expect nighttime/overnight lane closures from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sidewalk closures are also expected during construction. Southern Road & Bridge, LLC is the contractor. Expected completion is fall 2019.

SR 64 at Rye Road: Construction project: Crews are constructing a multi-lane roundabout; resurfacing the roadway; improving drainage, and installing new highway lighting and landscaping. A traffic switch is expected to be implemented on Monday, November 4. Once implemented, traffic will shift to the southside of SR 64 and the speed limit on State Road 64 will be reduced to 25 mph. Motorists should expect daytime and nighttime flagging operations at the intersection of SR 64 and Rye Road through Friday, November 8 while crews are working. IBT Construction is the contractor. Expected completion is late 2019/early 2020.

SARASOTA COUNTY

I-75 from Exit 182/N. Sumter Boulevard to Exit 191/N. River Road: Construction project:  This project replaces sections of guardrail along the interstate. The contractor is Acme Barricades, L.C.  Expected completion is late 2019.  

US 41 Roundabouts at 10th Street and 14th Street, Sarasota:  Construction project: Crews continue work within the right-of-way, medians and driveways.

• New traffic pattern is in place. South bound traffic will be using the new roadway and north bound traffic is shifted to the west. Be cautious while driving through the transition zones at the south and north ends of the project, while crews are still trying to work on enhancing the roadway striping and signs.
• The project work zone is shifted to the east side of US 41, pay attention to the travel lanes while entering and leaving the businesses or side streets. No left turns permitted within the project limits, except at the boat ramp, which has an exclusive left turn lane for north bound traffic.
• Noise and dust are expected during the removal of old asphalt. Expect noise from backhoes, concrete saws, jack hammers and material loading into trucks.
• Drainage and grading work continue around the Sunoco and Publix driveways. Entrances to both will be open to traffic by the end of the week. Expect noise from equipment, vibration from compaction and heavy equipment in the area.
• Night work is expected Monday and Wednesday night for the waterline tie in at 14th Street and Imperial Drive. There will be lane closures north bound and south bound on US 41 north of 14th Street for the tie in. Expect noise from backhoes, pumps and concrete saws.
• Light pole installation is expected at 10th and 14th Street. Expect concrete trucks entering and exiting the construction zones.
• Stormwater work will begin at 11th Street the week of November 4th. 11th Street will be closed while work is occurring, and the closure is expected to last one week. Please follow detour route via 12th Street. Subsequent side streets will be closed for storm work in the weeks that follow.
• New boat ramp driveway is open. Use caution as the wider driveway is intended only for entering traffic.
• Pedestrian crossings on 14th Street/Imperial Drive at US 41 have been reconfigured around the work zone. Pedestrians are advised to use the designated sidewalks and cross walks.
• Pedestrian crosswalks and stop bar on the south bound lanes at 14th Street are marked. For the safety of pedestrians, motorists are urged to stop at the designated stop bar.
• Centennial Park Boat Ramp driveway on 10th Street will be closed. Motorists can access the boat ramp via the US 41 entrance. Northbound left turn lane from US 41 into the boat ramp is available.
• The traffic pattern will be limited to right turn in/out for 11th, 12th and 13th Street. Traveling southbound and northbound direction left turns are not permitted at 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th Streets. Motorists are advised to follow the posted signs.

Speed limit is reduced to 30 mph. Speeding fines are doubled in the construction area when workers are present.

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 6-foot sidewalk along the east side. Other improvements include raised islands for pedestrian refuge at the intersections of US 41 at 10th Street and 14th Street, pedestrian signals, LED streetlights, landscaping, and City of Sarasota utility and underground drainage structure replacements. Expected completion is spring 2020. The contractor is IBT Construction LLC.

US 41 from Hospital Road to River Road: Maintenance permit project: Crews are constructing new turn-lanes, driveway connections, and working in the medians. Expect intermittent north and southbound daytime lane closures from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Friday, November 8. Use caution and expect possible delays.

US 41 from McIntosh Road to Beneva Road: Construction project: Crews are constructing sidewalk and bicycle lanes, improving drainage, reconstructing the US 41 southbound bridge over Catfish Creek south of Central Sarasota Parkway, installing highway lighting, upgrading signals, and installing new signing and pavement markings.

• Northbound nighttime/overnight lane closures may occur between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
• Southbound nighttime/overnight lane closures may occur between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 a.m.
• The speed limit is reduced to 45 mph within the construction zone.

Motorists should use caution and obey the posted speed limit. Expected completion is fall 2019. The contractor is Morrison-Cobalt JV.

US 41 from Tuscola Boulevard to Ortiz Boulevard: Construction project: Crews are constructing a multi-use path; installing bus pads and shelters; improving drainage; constructing/replacing sidewalk; installing guardrail and highway lighting, and installing new signing and pavement markings. Expect nighttime/overnight lane closures from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Daytime lane closures between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. are possible. Lane closures within 600 feet of signalized intersections are not permitted between 5:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Florida Safety Contractors, Inc. is the contractor. Expected completion is fall 2019. 

US 41 (Venice Bypass) from Center Road from 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, sidewalks; improving new drainage, and installing new highway lighting. Use caution and watch for changes in the traffic pattern. Bergeron Land Development, Inc. is the contractor. Expected completion is spring 2021.

• Seaboard Avenue at US 41 is closed to thru traffic while workers complete drainage improvements. Motorists should use Spur Street as a detour route.
• A traffic switch has been implemented on US 41 from Center Road to Gulf Coast Boulevard shifting traffic east to the existing southbound lanes and median. Two travel lanes in each direction are maintained throughout the project limits, and the speed limit has been reduced to 40 mph. Please use caution when traveling through the project corridor as the demarcated median has narrowed. Vehicles no longer have median access throughout the project limits.

US 41 from First Street to Boulevard of the Arts, and on Fruitville Road from US 41 to Cocoanut Avenue: Construction project: Crews are constructing a roundabout at US 41 and Fruitville Road, a 12-foot multi-use trail on the west side of US 41 and a variable-width sidewalk on the east side of US 41; replacing existing underground drainage and utility structures, and installing new LED streetlights and landscaping. Other improvements include raised pedestrian refuge islands and a HAWK pedestrian signalization system. Use caution and watch for changes in the traffic pattern. Wright Construction, Inc. is the contractor. Expected completion is fall 2020.

• The week of October 28, motorists should expect possible nighttime lane closures from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.  During daytime hours, there will be isolated utility excavations in the sidewalk path along US 41 between First Street and Fruitville Road as well as Second Street between US 41 and Cocoanut Avenue.

SR 72 at various locations: Construction project: Crews are installing highway lighting and constructing sidewalk along SR 72 at Frontage Road; Gantt Road; Honore Avenue; McIntosh Road; Sawyer Road; Beneva Road; Lockwood Ridge Road; Swift Road, Gateway Avenue, and at the Sarasota Pavilion entrance. Expect nighttime/overnight lane closures from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. and daytime lane closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Expected completion is fall 2019. The contractor is Florida Safety Contractors, Inc.

SR 72 (Clark Road) at Bee Ridge Road Extension/Lorraine Road: Maintenance permit project: Crews are constructing a right turn-lane. Expect intermittent lane closures and flagging operations from 9 p.m. each night to 5 a.m. each morning through Friday, November 1. Use caution and expect possible delays.