Traffic Watch for Manatee and Sarasota Counties

Traffic Watch

FOR WEEK OF MAY 10, 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

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 expected to open on Friday, May 8. 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-75 at SR 70 Interchange (Exit 217): Construction project: This week, crews will work on widening I-75, the ramps, retaining 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 single lane closures on I-75 during nighttime/overnight hours from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and double lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 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 mid-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 at Erie Road/Old Tampa Highway: Construction project: Crews are making improvements to the intersection. Motorists should expect daytime and nighttime lane closures on westbound US 301 from 12 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., and eastbound on US 301 from 7 p.m. to 2 p.m. while crews are working. 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). Daytime lane closures from east of 119^th Street W to 86^th Street W within the four-lane section of SR 684/Cortez Road are expected from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. over the next few weeks. AJAX Paving Industries of Florida, LLC is the contractor. Expected completion is late summer 2020.

SR 684 at the Cortez Drawbridge: Bridge maintenance project: Crews are working on the bridge. Expect nighttime/overnight intermittent east and westbound lane closures from 9 p.m. each night to 4 a.m. each morning Tuesday, May 26 through Thursday, May 28. Use caution and expect possible delays.

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. Single lane closures on Rye Road with flaggers is expected the week of Sunday, May 10. IBT Construction is the contractor. Expected completion is spring 2020.

SR 64 eastbound at 11^th Street W: Construction project: Crews are resurfacing the roadway, constructing sidewalk, improving lighting and signalization, and installing new signing and pavement markings. Expect nighttime/overnight single lane closures on westbound SR 64 from 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. while crews are working. Expect single lane closures on eastbound SR 64 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. while crews are working. American Lighting and Signalization, LLC is the contractor. Expected completion is summer 2020.

SR 64 over Perico Bayou and Palma Sola Bay: Construction project: Crews are working on the bridges. Expect nighttime/overnight lane closures from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sidewalk closures are not expected during construction. Olympus Painting Contractor, Inc. is the contractor. Expected completion is fall 2020.

SARASOTA COUNTY

I-75 at SR 681, SR 758/Bee Ridge Road, and SR 780/Fruitville Road: Maintenance project: Crews are installing new components on the high mast light poles. This week, crews will be preparing the site for the upgrades and start pole replacement.  The contractor is Ajax Paving Industries of Florida, LLC. Expected completion is late May 2020; weather permitting.

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

• Daytime lane closures are expected at throughout the project limits, while crews work in the median to remove the old asphalt. Expect trucks entering and leaving the travel lanes.
• Drainage pipe installation is expected on 10th Street between US 41 and Cocoanut Avenue. Expect noise from construction equipment and trucks entering and leaving the travel lanes.
• Traffic signals on US 41 at 10th Street have been removed, and motorists shall follow roundabout signage and driving conditions.
• Work zone will be shifted to the middle of US 41, with north bound traffic shifted to the newly paved roadway.
• Sidewalk on the west side of US 41 and pedestrian crosswalks at 10th Street and 14th Street are open for public access.
• Sidewalk installation and repairs continue on the east side of US 41 between 10th Street and 14th Street. Sidewalk on east side of US 41 are closed and considered an active work zone. Pedestrians are advised to use the designated sidewalks and crosswalks. Detours are setup to follow sidewalks on Cocoanut Avenue.
• Installation of conduit, poles, signalization cabinets and streetlighting throughout the project corridor. Be cautious of equipment, bucket trucks and crews working next to the roadway.
• Although the project work zone will be shifted to the middle of US 41, There will be work on the east side while crews work on sidewalks and streetlights. 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.
• Motorists are urged to use caution and watch for trucks and other construction equipment within the work zone.
• Expect noise from excavators, vibration from rollers, back up alarms, trucks, and construction vehicles throughout the project corridor.
• Work is expected during daytime hours, but some activities will 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 10th Street and 14th Street, pedestrian signals, LED streetlights, landscaping, and City of Sarasota utility and underground drainage structure replacements. Expected completion is fall 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. 

• Motorists should expect temporary northbound and southbound lane closures on US 41 between Center Road and Gulf Coast Boulevard from 7 am. to 11 p.m. Monday, May 11th, through Saturday, May 16th, to perform drainage pipe installation.

• 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 Saturday, May 9th through Saturday, May 16th, expect possible intermittent daytime and nighttime lane closures on US 41 between First Street and Boulevard of the Arts for utility work.

• The eastbound lanes of Fruitville Road from US 41 to Cocoanut Avenue have been reopened.

• Motorists should use caution when making a right turn movement traveling eastbound from northbound US 41 onto Fruitville Road. A new temporary turn lane has been shifted slightly south from where the previous turn lane was located. This turn lane will be a much sharper turn.

• A new traffic pattern is in effect. The travel lanes on US 41from Boulevard of the Arts to First Street have been shifted to the west side of the roadway onto a new diversion road. Two lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction during daytime operations.

• Westbound Fruitville Road is closed to all traffic from Cocoanut Avenue to US 41 (in effect through summer 2020). Motorists desiring to reach US 41 from westbound Fruitville Road will need to turn right onto Lemon Avenue, follow Lemon Avenue to10th Street, then follow 10th Street to reach US 41. Detour signage is in place.

• 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.

• The traffic signal at the US 41-Fruitville Road intersection has been deactivated and removed. 

• The third left-turn lane from Gulfstream Avenue onto NB US 41 has been reinstated.

• The left turn movement from northbound US 41 to westbound Boulevard of the Arts has been reinstated.
• Eastbound traffic on Fruitville Road from US 41 to Cocoanut Avenue will remain open.

• There is no access from US 41 to Fourth Street or the alleys located between First Street to Fifth Street.

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. Northbound traffic will shift to one of the southbound lanes, reducing traffic to one lane each direction. 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.

SR 789/John Ringling Boulevard at Coon Key: Maintenance permit project: Crews for the City of Sarasota are installing a water main. Motorists should expect westbound single lane closures through early June while crews are working. Use caution and expect possible delays.