Traffic Watch for Manatee and Sarasota Counties - Week of March 19

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 resurfacing I-75, US 301 work, 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 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 overnight hours from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. through the duration of the construction; double closures on I-75 southbound during the overnight hours from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. 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 are nearing completion on this access management and resurfacing project. Expect temporary lane closures through the remaining weeks, so continue to use caution in the area. Completion is spring 2023.

US 41 from 17^th to Bayshore Road/ 26^th Street,  including the 23^rd Street Roundabout, Palmetto: Construction:  Crews have begun work in the area so please use caution in the construction zone and be alert for construction equipment in the area. Construction crews will be working at the intersection of US 41 BUS and 23rd Street to prepare for the traffic shift.

• Motorists should expect temporary daytime lane closures from north of 17^th Street to just past 23^rd Street. 
• Be cautious in the construction zone as lanes will shift.

US 301 from 60th Avenue East to Erie Road / Old Tampa Road: Construction:  Crews will work in the median, placing the base material in the areas of the road widening along US 301. Motorists can expect construction vehicles in and out of the Right of Way limits. The scheduled completion is in the summer of 2023.

US 41 and US 301 Northbound, in Front of the Red Barn Flee Market: Maintenance: Starting Monday, March 20, through Friday, March 24, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., crews will be making drainage repairs by the south entrance. Motorists should expect lane closures and lane shifts.  Use caution in the roadway.

SR 684 Cortez Road from 80^th Street to 26^th Street: Storm drain maintenance: Crews will be desilting and inspecting the roadway through this corridor until the end of April. Motorists can expect temporary overnight lane closures at various locations from  8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

SR 70 and Lorraine Road East to County Line: Maintenance: This week, crews will be working  Monday, March 20, through Thursday, March 23, making maintenance repairs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists can expect temporary flagging operations.

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.

• Motorists should expect single lane closures on I-75 during nighttime/overnight hours from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. through the duration of construction.
• Motorists should expect double lane closures on I-75 during overnight hours from 10 p.m. to 4:30 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 2024.

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 month, expect lane closures both north and south bound inner lanes as crews work in the medians. Most are temporary lane closures from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. unless safety requires it be maintained. 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.

Expected completion is summer 2023.

US 41 from Caribbean Drive to Stickney Point: Construction: Construction on the next phase along a 1.4-mile area of US 41 from Caribbean Drive to Stickney Point Road has begun. 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. This week no lane closures are expected. Completion is January 2024.

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:

• • Install sod in southbound and westbound Gulfstream medians and pond at west side of Gulfstream Avenue roundabout.
  • Removal of temporary roadway material on US 41 along Marina Jack’s parking lot.
  • Install concrete median curb on US41 from the Fruitville Road roundabout to the Gulfstream Avenue roundabout.
  • Install sidewalk on the south side of Gulfstream Avenue between Main Street and the Gulfstream Avenue roundabout.
  • Install sidewalk on the north side US 41 between Main Street and the Gulfstream Avenue roundabout.
  • Install light pole and pull box concrete aprons throughout the project.

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 Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) 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 at Wellen Park Village Roundabout: Permit project:  A traffic shift is in place so please pay close attention in the construction zone. The lane shift will be in place for approximately six (6) months.

SR 777 River Road from US 41 to I-75: Construction project: Motorists can expect pond excavation near Venice Avenue on the northbound roadway. Embankment activities continue on the southbound roadway from Center Road to US 41; trucks will be crossing the road at various locations using intermittent flagging operations.  Drainage installation will resume at various project locations and tree mulching operations are taking place along the southbound roadway from Observation Boulevard to US 41 and just north of Rambler’s Rest RV Park on northbound roadway. A new traffic shift is in place between Center Road and just south of Venice Avenue so please use caution in the area. TECO Gas crews will also be installing gas main (brown pipe) 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 a specific 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 72 from Sarah Avenue to Mead Avenue: Storm drain maintenance: Crews will be desilting and inspecting the roadway through this corridor through the end of March. Motorists can expect temporary overnight lane closures at various locations from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

SR 72 Clark Road and Lorraine Road Roundabout: Permit construction project: Crews are finalizing the roundabout so continue to use caution in the area.

SR 72 Clark Road at Proctor Road and Dove Avenue Roundabout: Construction project: Traffic is now in the roundabout configuration and the speed through the roundabout has been reduced to 25 MPH.

• During the week of March 26^th, westbound lanes will have overnight detours from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• When needed, motorists can experience short duration flagging operations from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.
• Bicyclists should use the sidewalk to navigate the roundabout.
• 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. 

SR 72 Clark Road from Big Slough Canal to Desoto County Line:  Construction: Crews will be working the final punch list items; expect intermittent lane closures within the project boundaries with flaggers on both ends. The expected completion is in April 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.