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

FOR WEEK SEPTEMBER 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, installing concrete barrier wall, and median/ drainage work on SR 70.

• On Friday, September 17, 2021, at 11 p.m. through Monday, September 20, crews will close the I-75 northbound off-ramp to SR 70 in Manatee County.  SR 70 eastbound will be reduced to two lanes within the interchange area during this time.  Motorists are urged to exercise caution and follow posted detour signage.  Law enforcement officers will be present.
• On Friday, September 17, 2021, at 11 p.m. through Saturday, September 18, at 4 p.m., crews will close the SR 70 eastbound on-ramp to I-75 northbound.  Motorists are urged to exercise caution and follow posted detour signage.  Law enforcement officers will be present.
• 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-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 pull boxes.

• 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 light poles.

• 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.

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 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.

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

SR 70 from Creekwood Boulevard to west of Caruso Road: Construction permit project: Through the end of September 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.

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.

• Outside travel lanes are open east and westbound through the project work zone.
• The new westbound entrance/ exit to Greyhawk Boulevard is open.
• Work will continue to take place in the median of SR 64 and Greyhawk Boulevard along with the final construction of the center of the roundabout.
• Left turn lanes are open at Mill Run and Peace Presbyterian Church.  Motorists should expect occasional lane closures as needed to reconstruct the median curb and gutter.
• 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.

SARASOTA COUNTY

US 41 at Gulfstream Avenue Roundabout: Construction project: Crews will work within the right-of-way, medians, driveways and throughout the project limits.

Traffic shift to construction Phase 1A configuration has been implemented. There will be no through movement at the intersection, watch for new traffic patterns, traffic signals, and pavement markings. Motorists are urged to use alternate detour route, if possible.

Activities Include:

• Waterline installation just south of Fruitville Road on the west side of US 41
• Installation of groundwater filtration system between Fruitville Road and Ritz Carlton Drive
• Continue locating and adjustment of existing utility lines
• Placement of dewatering system for drainage pipe installation
• Delivery of drainage pipe and structures, please use caution as semi-trucks and other heavy equipment will be entering/exiting the construction zone.
• Night work to add or adjust roadway striping and additional signage, as necessary

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.

Motorists are urged to use alternate detour route, if possible. Please use caution and watch for construction vehicles and trucks entering or exiting the work zone.

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 and Gulfstream Avenue: Landscape construction: Crews will be taking soil samples in the median and anticipate possible overnight lane closures from  7 p.m. on September 28, 2021, and ending by 6 a.m. on September 29, 2021.

SR 776, between Old Englewood Road and Artists Avenue, Englewood: Utilities construction permit: FPL will be upgrading existing pole line and cable through September 30, 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 at McIntosh Road: Permit project:  Motorists should anticipate intermittent lane closures at the intersection of SR 72 Clark Road and McIntosh Road from Sunday, September 19, thru Tuesday, September 21, from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.  Contractor will be striping for Legacy Trail pavement markings.  Please use caution and expect possible delays.

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 is expected, weather permitting, as crews move through Phase I of construction. Please use caution and be alerted to changing lane patterns.
• Motorists should expect temporary lane closures Monday through Friday on SR 72 (Clark Road) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• 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 September 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 Thursday, September 30, 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 Sunday, September 26, through Thursday, September 30, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.  Motorists can expect intermittent right lane closures on both sides of the bridge.