Sarasota County Cone Zone

The following is a summary of Sarasota County construction, repair and maintenance projects that are expected to have an impact on local traffic or public areas during the one-week period beginning Monday, Feb. 6, and continuing through Sunday, Feb. 12. This summary includes all road or lane closures approved by the county engineer.

For more information about county construction projects and road and lane closures, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000. This information also can be found on the county website, www.scgov.net; just click on “County Road Projects” on the left. At this site, you also can find the current status of state roadway projects in District 1, which includes Sarasota County, in the weekly Road Watch Update issued by the Florida Department of Transportation.

Siesta Beach, Siesta Key: Field crews are working at Siesta Beach to collect measurements and soil samples as part of the design and permitting for the Siesta Key Improvements Project. Workers will be collecting soil samples by hand or operating a small drilling rig. In some locations, crews will install small monitoring wells to measure the water table or seepage rates. The improvements will include new restrooms, a concession area, landscaping, parking areas, a gazebo and other pedestrian and beach access features. Construction of the improvements has not begun.

Manasota Beach, Manasota Key: Construction of improvements to Manasota Beach is under way. Improvements include new restroom and shower facilities, as well as parking area improvements. No road closures are expected. Temporary restrooms and showers will be available for the duration of the project. The parking area on the west side of Manasota Beach Road remains closed. Parking will be available at the parking area on the east side of Manasota Beach Road. Motorists should use caution while traveling through the area. Final completion is scheduled in September 2012.

Phillippi Creek Septic System Replacement Program -- Area D Phase III – Sarasota:
Low-pressure sewer line installation will take place over the next 2 to 4 weeks on both River Ridge Way and Mineola Drive in the Southgate neighborhood. The work started Dec. 12. Most work will be off the roadway; however, installation of service line crossings will reduce traffic to a single lane. Flagmen will be present during those installations, and access to homes will be maintained at all times. Most activity will take place between 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Completion of the project is expected in February 2012.

McIntosh Road from Sawyer Loop Road to Sarasota Square Boulevard, Sarasota: On Monday-Friday, Feb 6-10, roadside tree maintenance will take place on McIntosh Road from Sawyer Loop Road to Sarasota Square Boulevard. Flagmen may be present at times in the southbound lane.

Jacaranda Boulevard from Venice Avenue north to Interstate 75 (1-75), Venice: On Monday-Thursday, Feb. 6-10, roadside tree maintenance is scheduled on Jacaranda Boulevard from Venice Avenue north to I-75. No lane blockage is expected

Gulf Gate Drive at Beneva Road intersection improvements, Sarasota: Construction of intersection improvements at Gulf Gate Drive and Beneva Road is almost complete. The intersection improvements include the replacement of existing span wire signal with new mast arm signal and widening of Gulf Gate Drive, including extension of the eastbound to southbound right turn lane. The new turn lane, sidewalk, curb and gutter and asphalt along Gulf Gate Drive have been installed; however, there will continue to be occasional lane closures during the remainder of construction. New signal mast arm poles will be installed beginning next week, and there will be occasional lane closures in the outside lanes of Beneva Road and in the new turn lane on Gulf Gate Drive during construction work hours. Motorists should drive with caution and be aware of construction vehicles entering and leaving the work zone. The existing traffic signal will remain operational while the new mast arms and signals are being installed. Construction is expected to be completed in February 2012.

North Cattlemen Road from Richardson to DeSoto roads, Sarasota: The contractor will continue with the installation of storm drain along the west and east sides of North Cattlemen Road, as well as hauling the material north on Cattlemen Road through the project area. There will be trucks entering and leaving the roadways frequently. There also will be intermittent lane closures on Cattlemen Road north of Richardson Road, with flaggers directing traffic for loading and unloading material from various locations along the project. Motorists are urged to use caution and watch out for heavy equipment, trucks and flagging operations when driving through the construction zone. Within the Nathan Benderson Park area, no access is provided north of the pedestrian bridge. The road project for extending North Cattlemen Road from Richardson to DeSoto roads includes the construction of four 12-foot-wide travel lanes, 4-foot-wide bicycle lanes and a 10-foot-wide sidewalk along the entire west side of the roadway. In addition, there will be two-30 foot span bridges, lighting, medians, concrete curb and gutters, stormwater pipes, inlet structures, stormwater ponds and water and sewer transmission pipes to enhance the county’s utility network. Completion is expected in spring 2013.

Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) Phase 1, throughout Sarasota County: The installation of new signal controller cabinets at 121 intersections throughout the county has been completed. Over the coming weeks, workers will make adjustments to the signals at intersections throughout the county. Other work associated with this project includes conduit installation and fiber installation to forge a countywide network of intersections that will link to the Manatee County Traffic Control Center. The conduit and fiber installations will be done during the day. There will be delays and disruption in the coordination of signals during installation; the improvements will not be in place until the project is finished. Phase 1 is expected to be completed in April 2012.

North Sarasota neighborhood enhancements, Sarasota: Construction is nearly complete on the north Sarasota neighborhood enhancements, including drainage improvements, sidewalks, roadway widening and two roundabouts. The project area is bordered by 17th Street on the south, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way on the north, Mango Street on the west and Tuttle Avenue on the east. Motorists should drive with caution since workers are still in the area. The intersection of Euclid Avenue and 24th Street is now open, where a roundabout is located. The project is expected to be completed in February 2012.

Caspersen Beach Park, Venice: Work is under way on the construction of two restroom buildings and associated facilities. The improvements include concrete sidewalks, new water and sewer lines, parking and improvements under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The project is scheduled for completion in March 2012.

Baywood Canal Navigable Waterway maintenance, Sarasota: Construction is complete on the Baywood Canal Navigable Waterway maintenance dredging project. The closure of the dewatering site in Osprey is under way. This includes hauling dredged sediment to the county landfill. Truck traffic is expected in Osprey on Church Street and Washington Avenue.
The dewatering site is expected to be restored to pre-existing conditions in February 2012.

City of Sarasota project

Ringling Boulevard between Orange Avenue and Bayfront Drive (U.S. 41), Sarasota: Beginning at midnight Sunday, Feb. 5, Ringling Boulevard between Orange Avenue and Bayfront Drive will be temporarily closed to motorized traffic for the construction of two roundabouts. Work crews will construct two permanent pedestrian crossings to connect downtown to the Burns Square Business District. One crossing will be near the intersection of Ringling Boulevard and Pineapple Avenue; the other will be along Bayfront Drive. The crossings are expected to be finished within 3-4 weeks. The crossings with sidewalks will provide a safe area for pedestrians to move around the construction zone, which will be set up for the roundabouts.

State projects

Interstate 75 (I-75) from north of River Road to north of State Road 681: Work is under way on improvements, including widening I-75 to the inside of the median to six lanes from north of River Road to north of State Road 681. The project also includes realignment of the I-75 southbound lanes from north of Cow Pen Slough to Laurel Road, construction of new southbound bridges over Cow Pen Slough and Salt Creek, widening of northbound and southbound bridges over Curry Creek and Fox Creek, and interchange improvements at Laurel Road, Jacaranda Boulevard and River Road. On Monday, Feb. 6, the contractor continues with the installation of new storm sewer drainage pipe, the transportation and placement of fill dirt (embankment), and the excavation for the new roadway and new lateral roadway ditches. These activities require temporary nighttime lane closures on I-75 beginning Monday, Feb. 6, through Sunday, Feb. 12, between the hours of 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Motorists will experience traffic shifts and temporary intermittent lane closures at the I-75 interchanges at Laurel Road and Jacaranda Boulevard, and at the on- and off-ramps at both interchanges. Construction activity is also taking place in the median off of I-75 at the bridges over Salt Creek, Curry Creek, Cow Pen Slough, and Fox Creek. Additional activities include the maintenance of plastic tarp (silt fence), for the purpose of erosion control, installation of sod, and the clearing of debris from north of River Road to north of State Road 681. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed in summer 2012.

Business U.S. 41 over the Intracoastal Waterway, Venice (0.1 miles north of Venice Avenue): There will be intermittent overnight right southbound and northbound lane closures on Business U.S. 41 over the Intracoastal Waterway on Tuesday-Wednesday, Feb. 7-8, from 9 p.m.-5 a.m. for bridge maintenance. Motorists are advised to use caution while in the area and expect possible delays.

Bee Ridge Road from U.S. 41 to Cattlemen Road, Sarasota: On Jan. 11-22, there will be overnight lane closures eastbound on Bee Ridge Road from U.S. 41 to Cattlemen Road from 7 p.m.-6 a.m. Crews will be repairing drainage inlets and pipes. Motorists can expect possible delays.

U.S. 41 from Bee Ridge Road to Siesta Drive, Sarasota: Construction is under way on U.S. 41 from Bee Ridge Road to Siesta Drive to widen the roadway within the existing rights of way, construct a median with a one-way direction opening and brick accents, extend left turn lanes, and modify the pedestrian crossing features and overhead signage. This week, the contractor will continue to perform sidewalk and drainage work; including curb and gutter work. The contractor is also preparing to move the streetlight poles approximately 4 feet to the west. This calls for the installation of new bases for relocated streetlight poles. The streetlight pole relocation is expected to occur in approximately one to two weeks and last up to two weeks. The contractor will close the right southbound lane between 9 p.m.-6 a.m. to perform sidewalk, utility and signage work. The nighttime right lane closure will occur Sunday-Thursday for most of the project duration, weather permitting. However, no work will occur Sunday night, Feb. 5, because of the Super Bowl. Business driveways south of Bee Ridge Road (southbound side only) will be repaved on Wednesday night. Access will be maintained on half of the driveway while the new pavement cures or dries. This project is expected to be completed in June 2012.

Bee Ridge Road from Cattlemen Road to Honore Avenue, Sarasota: There will be an intermittent westbound outside lane closure on Bee Ridge Road west of Cattlemen Road to Honore Avenue from 9 p.m.-5 a.m. Feb. 9-16 for replacement of power poles. Motorists and pedestrians are advised to use caution while in the area and expect possible delays.

Clark Road from west of Saddle Oak Trail to east of Myakka Valley Trail, Sarasota: Construction is under way on Clark Road from west of Saddle Oak Trail to east of Myakka Valley Trail. The work includes removing old asphalt, (milling) and resurfacing the roadway, widening the roadway, drainage improvements, guardrail installation, sidewalks, signage and striping on State Road 72 (Sugar Bowl Road). Motorists can expect intermittent single-lane closures during daytime hours while crews are working in the area. Flagmen will be present as needed. This project is expected to be completed in late spring 2012.