Traffic Watch for Manatee and Sarasota Counties

Traffic Watch for Manatee and Sarasota Counties

FOR WEEK OF MARCH 1, 2020

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.

51^st Street W at 53^rd Street W: Construction project: Crews are resurfacing the roadway, constructing turn lanes, constructing sidewalk, and installing new lighting, signalization and pavement markings. Expect daytime lane closures between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. and nighttime/overnight lane closures from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Superior Asphalt, Inc. is the contractor. Expected completion is summer 2020.

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 is open to traffic. Expect nighttime/overnight northbound and southbound intermittent lane closures on I-75 from 9 p.m. each night to 6 a.m. each morning Sunday, March 1 through Saturday, March 7. 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.

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: Crews are realigning the intersection of SR 684/Cortez Road and 119^th Street W, resurfacing the roadway, improving drainage, constructing sidewalk and installing new highway lighting. Expect nighttime/overnight lane closures from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on SR 684/Cortez Road and on 119^th Street W (both north and southside). AJAX Paving Industries of Florida, LLC is the contractor. Expected completion is late summer 2020.

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. Traffic has been shifted to the southside of SR 64 with one 10 foot lane in each direction. The speed limit on State Road 64 has been reduced to 25 mph within the construction zone. Traffic on Rye Road has been shifted slightly to allow space for crews to complete drainage work. IBT Construction is the contractor. Expected completion is spring 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 early 2020.  

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

• Crews are expected to work Saturday during daytime hours.
• Roadway base is expected to be graded and compacted. Expect vibration due to compaction efforts along the east side of US 41 from 10th Street to 14th Street. Motorists are urged to use caution as trucks will be entering and leaving the work zones within the project limits.
• 11th and 13th Street will remain closed at US 41 while crews construct roadway base. Local traffic can access 11th and 13th Street via Cocoanut Avenue. Detour signs will be posted. Closure is expected to last for about a week. 12th Street closure will follow 11th and 13th Street are open for traffic.
• While crews work on the roadway base, impacts to driveways on the east side of US 41 are expected. Project team will be coordinating with individual business owners to come up with a plan to minimize the impacts.
• While the contractor is compacting the roadway base, expect vibrations from the construction equipment (rollers). Vibration monitors are installed to ensure vibrations are within specified limits and readings will be monitored in real time. However, even at low vibrations objects may move, so please secure loose objects and any wall hangings that might come loose.
• Drainage structures and pipe installation is expected on 10th Street, east side of the intersection. Expect equipment and excavation from the intersection to the Jefferson Center entrance. Pedestrians will be re-routed around the construction. Use caution when travelling in the area. Jefferson center driveway will be impacted by this construction. Project team will coordinate with property owners to minimize the impacts.
• Concrete barrier wall installation continues at Hog Creek (11th Street). Expect deliveries and noise from power tools and equipment.
• Street light power conduits will be installed on the west side of US 41. Crews will be digging trenches on the east edge to install the power conduits. Crews will also be preparing for light pole foundations along the east side.
• Curbs and concrete light pole foundations are expected to be installed. Expect concrete trucks entering and leaving the work zone.
• Curb, sidewalk and asphalt removal expected on the east side of US 41 from 12th Street to 14th Street. Expect backup alarms and dump trucks loading debris.
• Grading of the roadway base and installation of conduits for street lighting is expected at the corner SE corner of 14th Street and US 41. Noise expected from back up alarms and construction vehicles. Also expect dump trucks unloading and loading material in the SE corner of 14th Street.
• Temporary short-term lane closures on US 41 are expected both south bound and north bound for the cleaning and inspecting the stormwater pipes and structures. Activities will be scheduled to ensure least impacts to traffic.
• Crews will be working on the road shoulders of 10th Street and Imperial Drive, installing signalization cabinets and wire. Lane closures are not anticipated but use caution in these areas.
• Sidewalk on the west side of US 41 is now open for public access. Pedestrian crosswalks are only open at 10th Street and 14th Street. Sidewalks on east side of US 41 are closed for pedestrians and is an active work zone. Detours are setup to follow sidewalks on Cocoanut Avenue. Pedestrians are advised to use the designated sidewalks and crosswalks.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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 (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 has been reopened.
• Crews are working within business driveways and in the right-of-way along the southbound lanes of US 41. Please watch for crews, use caution and follow flagger direction when turning into businesses and shopping plazas. 
• 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.

• Beginning Sunday night, February 23, through Friday morning, February 28, US 41 may be reduced to a single lane in both directions each night between 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. from North Palm Avenue to 4th Street.  During this same time period the westbound left turn lane along Fruitville Road approaching US 41 may be reduced from two lanes to a single left turn lane.  The lane reductions are necessary to install new utility lines and stormwater drainage along US 41.
• A new traffic pattern is in effect.  While this traffic shift is in place there will be four lanes along US 41, with two lanes of traffic in each direction and no left turn movements allowed along US 41 in the construction zone. Impacts to lane usage affecting motorists will be as follows:
  • No left turns from northbound US 41 to westbound Boulevard of the Arts (in effect through late February/early March 2020) 
    • The traffic in the left-hand northbound lane of US 41 will need to proceed to 10th Street, make a left turn at the 10th Street signal, in order to access Van Wezel, Symphony, Municipal Auditorium, Hyatt, etc. Detour signage is in place. All other movements of traffic at the US 41-Boulevard of the Arts intersection are allowed.
  • No left turns from southbound US 41 to eastbound Fruitville Road (in effect through fall 2020)
    • Southbound motorists, if desiring to go east from US 41, will need to turn left at 10th Street, follow 10th Street to Lemon Avenue, turn right at Lemon Avenue and then follow Lemon Avenue to Fruitville Road. Detour signage is in place. All other movements at the US 41 – Fruitville Road intersection are allowed. 
  • The left turn eastbound movement from Gulfstream Avenue to northbound  US 41 is reduced to two lanes instead of three lanes (in effect through late February/early March 2020). 
• UPCOMING TRAFFIC SWITCH: Beginning as early as Monday, March 2, a new traffic pattern may go into effect. The westbound lanes of Fruitville Road from Cocoanut Avenue to US 41 will be closed, and the travel lanes on US 41 from Boulevard of the Arts to First Street will be shifted to the west side of the roadway onto a new diversion road. Two lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction.

US 41 from River Road to Woodmere Park Boulevard: Construction project: Crews are constructing sidewalk and bus shelter pads; installing guardrail and lighting and improving drainage. Motorists should expect daytime lane closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and nighttime lane closures from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. while crews are working. Florida Safety Contractors, Inc. is the contractor. Expected completion is summer 2020.

US 41 from Blackburn Point Road to Preymore Street: Construction project: Crews are resurfacing the roadway, replacing the US 41 northbound bridge over North Creek, improving drainage, constructing sidewalk and installing new highway lighting. Expect nighttime/overnight northbound lane closures from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and nighttime/overnight southbound lane closures from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 a.m. A traffic shift will be implemented on Monday, March 2. Northbound traffic will shift to one of the southbound lanes, reducing traffic to one lane each direction. Once implemented, the traffic shift is expected to be in place for approximately eight months while crews reconstruct the northbound bridge over North Creek. Bergeron Land Development, Inc. is the contractor. Expected completion is spring 2021.