Traffic Watch for Manatee and Sarasota Counties - Week of November 20

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.

• In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, crews will not work from Thursday, November 24 through Sunday, November 27, 2022.
• 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 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 between Palm View Road to North of Lakeside Boulevard: Permit project: Motorists can expect alternating north and southbound lane closures while crews construct a median opening, right turn lane, driveway access, drainage structures and sidewalk for an RV Park. Please use caution and watch for lane shifts.

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 is expected in spring 2023.

US 301 at 119^th Terrace East to Fort Hamer Road Parrish: Permit project: Motorists can expect a westbound inside lane closure through the end of December  while crews extend a median opening and right turn lane into the existing median. Please use caution and watch for crews on site.

US 301 from 60th Avenue East to Erie Road / Old Tampa Road: Construction:  Motorists can expect construction vehicles in and out of the Right of Way limits and temporary lane closures if needed Monday through Wednesday. There are daytime lane closures expected the week of November 28th near the intersection of US 301 and 72^nd Ave East/Amsterdam Avenue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The scheduled completion is in the summer of 2023.

US 301 just east of Erie Road to 91st Avenue E: Permit project:  Going through the end of December, crews will be constructing two driveway connections and a right turn lane as well as extending a left turn lane.  Please watch for traffic shifts and allow extra travel time. 

SR 70 from Curtis Road to Countyline Road: Construction: crews will be resurfacing the nearly two-mile stretch of roadway.  Anticipate uneven pavement 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.

• In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, crews will not work from Thursday, November 24, through Sunday, November 27, 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 Roberts Bay Bridge, Venice: Construction project: Crews will be making bridge improvements and require lane closures on northbound US 41 in the evenings starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday, November 18, through the weekend ending on Wednesday, November 23, at 3:30 a.m. The right NB lane will be closed throughout the weekend and will be opened to traffic before 7:30 am on Monday.

US 41 between Bayview Lane and Blackburn Point Road: Permit project: Going through December, FPL crews will be installing power poles. There will be outside north\south bound lane closures. Please allow extra travel time and watch for workers

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.

• To reduce the number of vehicle conflict points and enhance roadway safety in the high-traffic area, median openings along the corridor will be modified, eliminating select turns across traffic. Proceed to the next opening and make a U-turn.

• Temporary lane closures will be needed in for the work in the median in both north and southbound lanes.  Use caution in the area or consider alternate routes if needed.

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:

• • Grading of trucked in roadway base material on US 41 from Main Street to Gulfstream Palm Avenue.
  • Excavation for roadway subgrade on US 41 between Gulfstream Avenue and Fruitville Road.
  • Installation of light pole bases and lighting conduit on US 41 between Gulfstream Avenue and Fruitville Road.
  • Preparing curb-pad and grading for sidewalk on US 41 from the roundabout to Fruitville R
  • Installing curb and sidewalk on US 41 from Main Street to Fruitville Road.
  • Installation of drainage structure and pipe on 2^nd Street at the US 41 connection.

Detours/Crossings:

• • Phase 2A configuration is in place. Motorists going eastbound from the Island will use new asphalt in the future roundabout area. Watch for new traffic patterns, signage, and pavement markings. Traffic patterns for westbound motorists will not be altered under the new configuration.
  • 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.
  • Eastbound through travel lane on Gulfstream Avenue (towards downtown) will remain closed. Use alternate routes via Ringling Boulevard or Fruitville Road.

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 the year, 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 caution and watch for workers.

SR 777 River Road from US 41 to I-75: Construction project: This week motorists can expect pond excavation 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, south of Center Road to US 41 and the pond area just north of Rambler’s Rest RV Park on northbound roadway. Overall completion expected in early 2025.

SR 72 Clark Road Eastbound from Sawyer Road to Palmer Plaza Boulevard: Permit project: Motorists can expect intermittent eastbound right lane closures as FPL crews replace 50 poles in the area. Please use caution and watch for lane shifts.

SR 72 Clark Road and Lorraine Road Roundabout: Permit construction project: Construction crews continue finalizing work with installation of curb and gutter for the outer part of the RAB, finalizing installation of signing and marking, installing sidewalk, and installing landscaping through the end of December 2022.  Please use caution in the area. Expected completion is December 2022.

SR 72 Clark Road at Proctor Road and Dove Avenue Roundabout: Construction project: Crews continue construction of the free-flowing roundabout and will be shifting to Phase 2B that will close Dove Avenue after Thanksgiving for approximately three months.

• Please use alternate routes to Hawkins Road via Ibis Avenue. 

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

• Motorists can expect temporary lane closures throughout the duration of the project. 

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.  Completion is expected in late 2022.

SR 72 Clark Road from Big Slough Canal to Desoto County Line:  Construction: Crews will continue shoulder/ditch grading, sodding, and side drain installation and resume paving operations; expect intermittent lane closures both east and westbound Monday and Tuesday. 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 expected. Please use caution.

SR 62 East of Duette Road to West of Hardee County Line: Permit project: Motorists can expect temporary flagging operations as FPL performs powerline maintenance on SR 62 east of Duette Road to west of Hardee County Line. Please use caution and watch for temporary lane shifts or closures.