Traffic Watch for Manatee and Sarasota Counties - Week of September 25

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 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 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 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 63rd Street to 53rd Street: Construction: Crews have begun work on this access management and resurfacing project. Work consists of access management improvements 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 from 60th Avenue East to Erie Road / Old Tampa Road: Construction: Crews are scheduled to install four strain pole installations at Amsterdam Avenue on the 20th and 22nd during daytime closure hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Crews will also be saw cutting areas of asphalt prior to the start of milling operations along US 301. Motorists can expect construction vehicles in and out of the Right of Way limits and temporary lane closures if needed. Scheduled completion is summer 2023.

US 301 and Fort Hamer Road Extension: Permit project: Going through September, Manatee County crews will be installing sewer main and constructing a right turn lane. Motorists can expect lane closures on the north side of US 301 and the outside westbound lane on US 301 and Fort Hamer Road. Please allow extra travel time and watch for workers.

US 301 just east of Erie Road to 91st Avenue E: Permit project: Starting in October and going through the end of November, crews will be constructing two driveway connections and a right turn lane and extending a left turn lane from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please watch for traffic shifts and allow extra travel time.

SR 684 from 86th to Cape Vista: Construction: Crews have begun the 2.4-mile resurfacing project. The intersection at Cape Vista will incorporate a new signal and may require temporary lane closures to install the equipment. For motorist convenience, most lane closures will be overnight unless special circumstances require. Please use caution in the area. Project completion is expected for fall 2022.

SR 70 from Curtis Road to Countyline Road: Construction: crews will begin work on resurfacing the nearly two-mile stretch of roadway. Crews are working 24-hour work plans with single-lane traffic. Use caution in the construction zone and expect flagging operations.

SR 64 from Cypress Wind Boulevard to Cordova Drive: Permit project: There will be an outside westbound lane closure on SR 64 from Cypress Wind Boulevard to Cordova Drive through September 2022. FPL will be replacing and installing new poles. Please allow extra travel time and watch for workers.

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 between Bayview Lane and Blackburn Point Road: Permit project: Starting in September and going through November, FPL crews will begin overnight work from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. to install 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. Also 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 so use caution.

Temporary, single lane closures expected north and southbound.

Use caution in the area or consider alternate routes if needed.

Completion is expected by end of 2022.

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:

• • Installation of storm drainage pipe and structures on US 41 between 1st Street and 2nd Street.
  • Removal of existing out of service waterline pipe on US 41 between 1st Street and 2nd Street.
  • Begin grading for the future roadway on US 41 from the roundabout to Palm Avenue.
  • Placing concrete for curb and sidewalk on US 41 from the roundabout to Palm Avenue.
  • Installation of light pole bases and lighting conduit on US 41 between the roundabout and 1st Street.
  • Installation of three mast-arm signal foundations at the intersection of Gulfstream Avenue and US 41.

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 fall 2022.

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.

US 301 or Washington Boulevard and 17th Street Lighting Retrofit: Construction: Crews have begun work on a lighting retrofit in the area. Expect temporary lane closures when needed. Project should be completed early 2023.

SR 777 River Road from US 41 to I-75: Construction project: Pond excavation and embankment activities on the southbound roadway from Center Road to US 41. Mulching trees, clearing and grubbing is taking place along southbound roadway, south of Center Road to US 41. Drainage installation is underway on both sides of River Road and trucks are crossing the road at various locations using intermittent flagging operations. TECO Gas will be installing gas lines adjacent to the 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 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. FPL crews will be replacing 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 work with installation of curb and gutter for the outer part of the RAB, headwall on the north side of RAB, installing signing and marking, installing street lighting, installing sidewalk, and installing landscaping through November 4, 2022. Motorists
should expect temporary lane closures and new traffic patterns as construction progresses. Please use caution in the area. Expected completion is fall 2022.

SR 72 from east of I-75 to Saddle Oaks Trail: Permit Project: FPL crews will be installing poles along the south side of SR72. This overnight work is east of I-75 to Saddle Oaks Trail and will go through September. Motorists can expect intermittent flagging operations between 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Please use caution and watch for lane shifts.

SR 72 Clark Road at Proctor Road and Dove Avenue Roundabout: Construction project: Motorists should expect flagging operations or temporary lane closures as construction of the free-flowing roundabout continues. Travel lanes on this section of SR 72 have been reduced to 11 feet wide and to 10 feet wide on Proctor Road.

Please use caution in the work zone and be aware of bicyclists sharing the roadway.

Please consider alternate crossroads to access Hawkins Road via Ibis Street or Hummingbird.

Completion is expected in late 2022.

SR 72 Clark Road Eastbound from Shangri La Road to Fielding Avenue: Permit project: FPL will be replacing power poles, so motorists can expect eastbound, intermittent outside lane closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through September. Please use caution and watch for lane shifts.

SR 72 Clark Road from Big Slough Canal to Desoto County Line: Construction: Crews will continue shoulder/ditch grading and continue side drain installation for this week, expect intermittent lanes closures both east and westbound. Expected completion is early 2023.

SR 72 Clark Road at Stickney Point from west of US 41 to Glencoe Avenue: Permit project: Crews will be installing traffic signals and motorists can expect nighttime flagging operations with intermittent lane closures through November, between 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Please use caution and watch for lane shifts.

SR 62 East of Duette Road to West of Hardee County Line: Permit project: Motorists can expect temporary flagging operations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. as FPL performs powerline maintenance on SR 62 east of Duette Road to west of Hardee County Line. Please use caution and watch for lane shifts.