Traffic Watch for Manatee and Sarasota Counties - Week of January 22

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 US 301 Interchange (Exit 224): Construction project: Project will widen the I-75 from SR 64 to the Manatee River, reconfigure the I-75/US 301 interchange from a partial cloverleaf interchange to a tight diamond configuration, construct new bridges will be constructed over the Manatee River for a northbound exit ramp and a southbound entrance ramp, and US 301 improvements. This week, crews will work on embankment and widening on I-75, and pile driving for the construction of the new southbound on-ramp bridge over the Manatee River and Salt Marsh Bridge.

• Motorists should expect single lane closures on I-75 northbound during nighttime/overnight hours from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through the duration of the construction; double closures on I-75 southbound during the nighttime/overnight hours from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. through the duration of the construction.
• Motorists should expect double lane closures on I-75 northbound during nighttime/overnight hours from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. through the duration of the construction; double closures on I-75 southbound during the nighttime/overnight hours from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. through the duration of the construction.
• Motorists should expect lane closures on US 301 through the duration of the construction.
• Motorists should expect lane closures on Tidewater Preserve Boulevard through the duration of bridge construction.
• Motorists should expect lane shifts on I-75 and US 301 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 2025.

US 41 from 63^rd Street to 53^rd Street: Construction: Crews will be working on this access management and resurfacing project, including the construction of 11-foot-wide raised medians and 1-foot-wide traffic separators. Center turn lanes will be closed as medians are installed to improve safety in the corridor and remove conflict points. Motorists should expect temporary lane closures so use caution in the area. Scheduled completion spring 2023.

US 301 from 60th Avenue East to Erie Road / Old Tampa Road: Construction:  Crews will be working in the median on drainage, prep for curb placement, and road widening, as well as directional drilling along US 301. Motorists can expect construction vehicles in and out of the Right of Way limits. Expect temporary lane closures for the duration. The scheduled completion is in the summer of 2023.

SR 70 from Curtis Road to Countyline Road: Construction project: crews will be resurfacing the nearly two-mile stretch of roadway.  Anticipate uneven pavement, lane closures and use caution in the construction zone.

SARASOTA COUNTY

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 the ramps, retaining walls, noise walls, and drainage work.

• 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 Roberts Bay Bridge, Venice: Construction project: Lane closures are expected the week of January 23, 2023. Crews are making bridge improvements and will require single and double lane closures until completion. Please use caution in the area.

US 41 from Beneva Road to Caribbean Drive: Construction project:  Construction on US 41 from Beneva Road to Caribbean Drive is making median modifications, widening paved shoulders, adding turn lanes to accommodate six-foot wide bicycle lanes and adding sidewalks along the 1.37-mile section of road. Modifications will be made to existing traffic signals and crosswalks to support the bicycle lanes and new sidewalks.

• For the next two months, expect lane closures both north and south bound inner lanes as crews work in the medians from Beneva Drive to Caribbean Drive. Consider alternate routes.
  
  
• To reduce the number of vehicle conflict points and enhance safety, median openings along the corridor will be eliminated. Proceed to the next opening and make a U-turn.

US 41 from Caribbean Drive to Stickney Point: Construction: Crews have begun the next phase along a 1.4-mile area of US 41 from Caribbean Drive to Stickney Point Road. Work consists of implementing safety improvements along the corridor, including resurfacing, lighting and signalization, median improvements, improved drainage, shoulder reconstruction, improved sidewalks, improved bicycle lanes, and curb and gutter improvements. Completion is expected by spring 2023.

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.

Activities Include:

• • Removal and disposal of temporary asphalt used in prior phases.
  • Excavation for pond work off Gulfstream Avenue by the Marina Jacks parking lot.
  • Installation of lighting cable and conduit on US 41 between Main Street and Gulfstream Avenue.
  • Installation of light poles on US 41 by Main Street.
  • Removal of existing curb and sidewalk on Gulfstream Avenue between US 41 and Sunset Drive.
  • Installation of curb and on Gulfstream Avenue between US 41 and Sunset Drive.
  • Installation of sidewalk on US 41 at Gulfstream Avenue.

Detours/Crossings:

• • Phase 2B configuration is in place. Motorists on approach yield to motorists within the roundabout. Vehicles within the roundabout have priority and right of way.
  • Palm Avenue, 1st Street, and 2nd Street are closed at the US 41 connection in both directions. Entering and exiting the downtown area via Cocoanut Avenue to Fruitville Road is recommended.
  • Sidewalk at the northwest corner of US 41 at Gulfstream Avenue is closed. Pedestrian paths are available via US 41 Multi-Use Recreational Trail (MURT) along Ritz Carlton Drive.
  • Sidewalk on the east side of US 41 between Gulfstream Avenue and Fruitville Road is closed for reconstruction work. Pedestrians should use Cocoanut Avenue for access to downtown and to the Main Street.
  • 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 is 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.

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.

We encourage motorists to allow extra time to travel, follow the roadway signage and messaging and avoid making unauthorized U-turns or changing lanes across solid lines between the lanes when traveling through the construction work zone.

Construction activities will take place weekdays and weekends, 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.

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 spring 2023.

US 41 South between South Palm Avenue and Hudson Avenue: Permit project:  Through the end of March 2023, crews will be working at the Marie Selby Gardens extending existing turn lanes, adding right turn lanes, making drainage improvements, adding signalization improvements, landscaping improvements, street lighting improvements and signing and pavement improvements.  Motorists should expect temporary inside and outside lane closures. Please use particular caution in the area and watch for pedestrians and workers.

US 41 at Wellen Park Village Roundabout: Permit project:  Motorists can expect lane closures this week as crews begin work excavate/place temporary base traffic separators and pave on crossovers.  A traffic shift is expected the week of January 30, 2023.

SR 777 River Road from US 41 to I-75: Construction project: Motorists can expect pond excavation near Venice Ave (northbound) and embankment activities on the southbound roadway from Center Road to US 41; trucks will be crossing the road at various locations using intermittent flagging operations.   Mulching trees, clearing and grubbing is taking place along the southbound roadway, from Observation Boulevard to US 41 and installation of drainage from Venice Avenue to I-75 continues. TECO Gas crews will also be installing gas main on northbound roadway along the entire corridor. Overall completion expected mid-2025.

SR 758 Midnight Pass from Stickney Point to Shadow Lawn Way: Construction project: Crews have begun a 1.6-mile roadway and safety improvement project on Midnight Pass Road (SR 758) from Stickney Point Road (SR 72)to Shadow Lawn Way in Sarasota County. Work will consist of milling and resurfacing, shoulder/turn lane widening, sidewalk replacement, drainage improvements, signing and pavement markings, and signal and lighting improvements. Expected completion is fall 2023.

• Both traffic lanes will remain open during construction. Expect lane shifts however as lanes are adjusted so crews can work in the area.
• Milling and resurfacing will begin after season (post Easter)
• Expect noise from back-up alarms, trucks, and construction equipment both day and night.
• Temporary lane closures or flagging operations could be necessary through the duration of the project.

SR 789 around St. Armands Circle: Maintenance work: Crews will be replacing temporary speed bumps at (8) locations on Ringling Boulevard and North Boulevard of the Presidents in the St. Armands Key area. Work will resume on Thursday, January 19, and go through Wednesday, January 25, 2023.  Work will take place nightly from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. and require single lane closures.

SR 72 from Sarah Avenue to Mead Avenue: Maintenance: Crews will be conduction maintenance work in the area until March. Motorists can expect temporary lane closures either east or west bound. Use caution in the area.

SR 72 Clark Road and Lorraine Road Roundabout: Permit construction project: Construction crews continue to finalize installation of the roundabout.  Please use caution in the area.

SR 72 Clark Road at Proctor Road and Dove Avenue Roundabout: Construction project: Crews continue construction of the free-flowing roundabout.

• The project has shifted to Phase 2B closing Dove Avenue for three months.

• Expect temporary flagging operations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and temporary delays.

• Please use SR 72 at Hawkins Road or an alternate route via Ibis Avenue. 

• Dove Avenue residents please use the Ibis to Curlew Road access.

Travel lanes on this section of SR 72 have been reduced to 11 feet wide and to 10 feet wide on Proctor Road, so please use caution in the work zone and be aware of bicyclists sharing the roadway. 

SR 72 Clark Road from Big Slough Canal to Desoto County Line:  Construction: Crews will continue shoulder/ditch grading, sodding, widening turnouts, and side drain installation; expect intermittent lane closures both east and westbound. The expected completion is early 2023.

SR 72 Clark Road at Stickney Point from west of US 41 to Glencoe Avenue: Permit project: Crews are installing traffic signals, yet no lane closures are currently expected.