Traffic Watch for Manatee and Sarasota Counties - Week of October 10, 2021

FOR WEEK OCTOBER 10, 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.

• 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 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 late 2021. The contractor is Sacyr Construction USA, LLC.

I-75 northbound over Eric Creek (1.5 miles south of the Manatee County line): Bridge maintenance: Crews will be making bridge deck repairs overnight on Tuesday, October 12, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.  Motorists should expect intermittent right lane closures.

I-75 southbound over the Manatee River (3.5 miles north of SR 64): Bridge maintenance:  Crews will be making bridge deck repairs overnight on Monday, October 11, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.  Motorists should expect intermittent right lane closures.

I-275 at US 19 (Exit 5): Construction project: Crews will remove the existing high mast lighting systems and replace with conventional lighting systems.  This week, crews will install the electrical conductors.

• 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 fall 2021. The contractor is Highway Safety Devices.

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 install the electric conductors.

• 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 fall 2021. The contractor is Highway Safety Devices.

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.  Contractor is Frankie Valdez Company.

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 contractor is AF USA Construction Corporation. 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 at west Cortez Road and 14^th Street / US 41 into the shopping center will be closed.

Expected completion is winter 2022, weather permitting. The contractor is Wright Construction.

SR 37 from SR 62 to Polk County Line: Permit construction: There will be alternating north and southbound lane closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to perform pavement cores in preparation for an upcoming FDOT project.  Work begins in October and goes through December 2021. Motorists should watch for traffic shifts, use caution, and expect possible delays.

SR 64 at Greyhawk Boulevard/Pope Road: Construction project: Construction of a roundabout at SR 64 and Greyhawk Boulevard/Pope Road includes installing pedestrian activated crossings on all legs of the roundabout, adding lighting and landscaping, and installing a new traffic signal and crosswalks at SR 64 and 117^th Street east.  The contractor is Watson Civil Construction, Inc. Expected completion is fall 2021, weather permitting.

SPEED LIMIT IS 25 MPH THROUGH THE PROJECT

• Traffic shift to the final phase of construction has been completed.
• Sunday night, October 10, the contractor will begin milling and resurfacing at the SR 64 and 117th east intersection and placing the final lift of asphalt at the Greyhawk Roundabout.
• Milling and resurfacing will also take place on the mainline of SR 64 between both roundabouts (Greyhawk & Rye Road).
• Work will continue to take place in the median of SR 64 and Greyhawk Boulevard along with the final construction of the roundabout center area.
• Left turn lanes are open but motorists should expect occasional lane closures as needed.
• Pope Road will remain closed to thru traffic, utilize the roundabout at SR 64 and White Eagle Boulevard/Rye Road.
• Pedestrian traffic: Sidewalks are open on both sides of SR 64.

SR 70 from Lakewood Ranch Boulevard to West of White Eagle: Permit construction project:    Motorists should expect alternating east and westbound lane closures on SR 70 from Lakewood Ranch Boulevard to west of White Eagle, from October through November during the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The contractor will be constructing a left turn lane, median opening, and right turn lane.  Please use caution and expect possible delays.

SR 70 from Creekwood Boulevard to west of Caruso Road: Construction permit project: Through the end of October 2021, a detour is in place for Caruso Road on SR 70 from Creekwood Boulevard to west of Caruso Road.  This is part of the continued 44^th Avenue east improvements project, constructing utility, drainage, and roadway improvements. Please plan additional travel time and use caution in the area.

SARASOTA COUNTY

I-75 at Laurel Road within the right of way, west: Permit project: Motorists should expect alternating east\westbound lane closures on Laurel Road west of I-75 within the right of way up to Pinebrook Road. Work will start in October with an expected completion of December 2021.

US 41 at the KMI Bridge across Hatchett Creek, Venice: Bridge construction: Crews will begin a bridge improvement project starting Monday, October 18, and going through spring 2022, weather permitting. Lane closures will be limited to overnight hours from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.  Day work will be under the bridge and bridge tender house.   During final acceptance testing, the bridge will be briefly opened four times a day for 60 days.

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.

Activities include:

• Remove old asphalt and continue installation of waterline, stormwater and drainage pipe and structures
• Continue placement of dewatering system for drainage pipe installation
• Install groundwater filtration system between Fruitville Road and Ritz Carlton Drive
• Locate and adjust existing utility lines
• Excavate pond on the east side of US 41
• Install light pole bases on Gulfstream Avenue and Sunset Drive

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. See attached temporary pedestrian detour route flyer.
• Pedestrian crossings on US 41 at Gulfstream Avenue and 1^st Street are closed. Temporary pedestrian paths around the work zone are available on Fruitville Road or Main Street during construction. Please use designated paths and follow posted detour signs.
• 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 early fall 2022. The contractor is Russell Engineering, Inc.

US 41 from University Parkway to 14^th Street: Permit project: Crews will be performing test holes for utility locations.  Expect alternating north and southbound lane closures overnight from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. starting Monday, October 11, and going through December 2021. Please use caution and expect possible delays.

SR 776 between Old Englewood Road and Artists Avenue, Englewood: Utilities construction permit: FPL will be upgrading existing pole line and cable through October 2021. Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures in both the east and westbound outside lanes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Please use caution in the area.

SR 72 Clark Road and Lorraine Road Roundabout: Permit construction project: Contractors have begun construction of a roundabout. Crews will begin setting up maintenance of traffic devices and construction of a temporary roadway.  Motorists should use caution in the area and anticipate lane closures, flagging operations and various traffic shifts. Expected completion is June 4, 2022, weather permitting.

SR 72 Clark Road at Proctor Road and Dove Avenue Roundabout: Construction project: Crews will begin work on the new free-flowing roundabout replacing the current signalized intersection. Completion is expected in fall 2022.  The contractor is E & M Equipment.

• During Phase I: the contractor will install sidewalk closures, temporary signals, and construct the north side of the roundabout on SR 72 and the west side of Proctor Road.
• A lane shift has occurred, and a temporary signal is in place.  Please use caution and be alert in the area.
• Motorists should expect temporary lane closures Monday through Friday on SR 72 (Clark Road) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Expect short duration flagging operations between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for material delivery.
• Please use caution in the work zone and be aware of bicyclists sharing the roadway.
• Lane closures are not allowed from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. or during non-work periods.

SR 72 Clark Road at Sawyer Road, Legacy Trail Extension Segment 2: Permit project: Crews will continue to work on the Legacy Trail construction. Please use caution in the area.  Expected completion is the end of October 2021. 

SR 72 Stickney Point Road between US 41 and Elmwood Avenue: Construction permit project: Motorists should expect intermittent east and westbound lane closures on SR 72 Stickney Point Road between US 41 and Elmwood through October 2021, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Some night work is possible. Work consists of constructing driveways, traffic signals and median crossings.  Please use caution and expect possible delays.

SR 72 Stickney Point Road (0.6 miles west of US 41): Bridge maintenance: Crews will be making overnight bridge repairs on Wednesday, October 13, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.  Motorists can expect intermittent right lane closures on the east bound side of the bridge.