Traffic Watch for Manatee and Sarasota Counties - Week of December 19, 2021

FOR WEEK DECEMBER 19, 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, and median and drainage work on SR 70.

• In observance of the Christmas holiday, no work will occur between Thursday, December 23, 2021, and Monday, January 3, 2022.
• 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 7 p.m. to 6 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 early 2022.

I-275 at US 19 (Exit 5): Construction project: Crews will remove the existing high mast lighting systems and replace with conventional lighting systems.  Crews will perform site restoration and clean-up.

• 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 end of 2021.

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 perform site restoration and clean-up.  

• 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 end of 2021.

I-75 at SR 64: Landscape installation: Crews will begin installing landscaping that requires periodic shoulder closures. No roadway lane closures are anticipated. Estimated completion is winter 2022.  

US 41 at Boyce Street: Maintenance project: Crews will be making repairs to a damaged inlet on Wednesday, December 22, 2021. Motorists can expect a southbound right lane closure from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SR 789 Gulf Drive north from Avenue C to 9^th Street, Bradenton Beach: Construction project: Crews will be replacing the east sidewalk with permeable pavers to improve drainage, provide natural water absorption, and relieve pressure on the current island drainage network. Expect lane closures throughout the project. Variable message signs and flagging operations will guide motorists through the construction zone. Expect noise from construction equipment. Project is expected to be completed by late 2021.

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.
• The right turn lane on west Cortez Road and 14^th Street / US 41 into the shopping center will be removed.
• Expected completion is winter 2022.

SR 70 and Lorraine Road: Maintenance project: On Monday, December 20, and Tuesday, December 21, crews  will be milling and resurfacing the entire intersection of SR 70 and Loraine Road overnight from 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.

SARASOTA COUNTY

I-75 over Main A Canal: Bridge maintenance: Bridge maintenance: On Tuesday, January 11, crews will be making bridge repairs on the north bound right lanes with intermittent lane closures from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

I-75 at SR 72/Clark Road (Exit 205): Construction project: Project improvements include reconstructing the existing interchange to a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI), adding auxiliary lane on I-75 northbound from SR 72 to Bee Ridge Road, widen I-75 southbound from Proctor Road to SR 72, and improvements on Clark Road. This week, crews will work on widening I-75, noise walls, drainage work, and clearing and grubbing.

• In observance of the Christmas holiday, no work will occur between Thursday, December 23, 2021, and Monday, January 3, 2022.
• Motorists should expect single lane closures on I-75 during nighttime/overnight hours from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. bound through the duration of the construction.
• Motorists should expect double lane closures on I-75 during nighttime/overnight hours from 10 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. through the duration of the construction.
• Motorists should expect lane closures on SR 72 during nighttime/overnight hours from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. through the duration of the construction.
• Motorists should expect lane shifts on I-75 and SR 72 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 2023.

US 41 at the KMI Bridge across Hatchett Creek, Venice: Bridge construction: Crews have begun the bridge improvement project that will go through spring 2022. Lane closures will be limited predominantly to overnight hours from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.  

• No lane closures are expected through the remainder of the year. Normal bridge openings will continue as usual.
• Expect occasional temporary daytime closures from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. if needed to complete topside work.
• Day work will typically be limited to under the bridge or for the bridge tender house.
• Marine traffic should be mostly unaffected. If a boat requires dual bridge spans opened, it will require a 6-hour advance reservation.
• During final acceptance testing, the bridge will be briefly opened four times a day for 60 days.

US 41 over Dona Bay: Bridge maintenance: On Monday, January 10, crews will be making bridge repairs on both the north and south bound lanes with intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

US 41 at Gulfstream Avenue Roundabout: Construction project: Crews will work within the right-of-way, medians, driveways and throughout the project limits. Please use caution and watch for construction vehicles, dump trucks, semi-trucks and heavy equipment entering or exiting the work zone.

• Traffic shift to construction Phase 1A configuration in place (island traffic only on US 41 south of Fruitville Road and north of Main Street). Watch for new traffic patterns, traffic signals, and pavement markings. Motorists are urged to use alternate detour route, if possible.
• In observance of the holidays, construction activities are suspended Friday, December 24, 2021, thru Sunday, January 2, 2022. Crews will resume normal operation starting January 3, 2021. Project personnel will monitor the project during the holiday observance and adjust traffic control devices and cleanup, as necessary.

Activities include:

• Continue installation of drainage pipe and structures on US 41 between Fruitville Road and the Ritz Carlton Drive.
• Install light pole bases on US 41 between Fruitville Road and Gulfstream Avenue. Light pole uprights will be installed on US 41 south of Gulfstream Avenue and on Gulfstream Avenue where bases were previously set.
• Continue grading of roadway base along Gulfstream Avenue and US 41 between Main Street and Gulfstream Avenue on the east side.
• Testing of recently installed watermain in preparation of tie-in.
• Operation and maintenance of groundwater filtration system between Fruitville Road and Ritz Carlton Drive.
• Construct curbs on US 41 between Main Street and Gulfstream Avenue, and on Gulfstream Avenue.
• Grade and construct sidewalk on US 41 between Main Street and Gulfstream Avenue.

Detours/crossings:

• Sidewalk at the northwest corner of US 41 at Gulfstream Avenue will be temporarily closed for the installation of drainage pipe. Pedestrian paths are available via US 41 Multi-Use Recreational Trail (MURT) along Ritz Carlton Drive.
• The east pedestrian crosswalk at Sunset Drive and Gulfstream Avenue is closed. The west pedestrian crosswalk is available to cross Gulfstream Avenue. Signage and pedestrian barricades are in place for guidance.
• 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.

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 fall 2022.

SR 758 Bee Ridge Road from US 41 to Macintosh Road: Construction project:  Crews will be replacing lighting luminaire structures along the corridor during overnight hours through February 2022.  Please use caution and anticipate lane closures.

SR 681 Bridges from US 41 to I-75: Bridge testing: Crews will be conducting materials testing along SR 681. Motorists can expect single-lane closures along SR 681 at bridge numbers 170098, 170099, 170100 and 170113 from approximately 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Tuesday,  January 4, on Wednesday, January 5, 2021.

SR 72 Clark Road and Lorraine Road Roundabout: Permit construction project: Construction has begun but no lane closures are expected through the end of the year. Please use caution in the area. Expected completion is June 2022.

SR 72 Stickney Point at US 41: Permit project: Crews will be constructing drainage structures through January 2022. No lane closures are expected through the end of the year; however, please use caution and watch for workers in the construction zone.

SR 72 Clark Road at Proctor Road and Dove Avenue Roundabout: Construction project: Crews have begun construction of the new free-flowing roundabout replacing the current signalized intersection. Please use caution in the work zone and be aware of bicyclists sharing the roadway.  No lane closures are expected during the remaining two weeks in December. Completion is expected in fall 2022.