Week of Jan. 5-11, 2009

The following is a summary of Sarasota County construction, repair and maintenance projects that are expected to have an impact on local traffic. 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, call the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000. At this site, you also can find the current status of state roadway projects in Sarasota County in the weekly RoadWatch Update issued by the Florida Department of Transportation.
 

Central Sarasota Parkway and Beneva Road, Sarasota: As part of a resurfacing project on sections of five roads throughout the county, work is anticipated to resume Monday, Jan. 5, on Central Sarasota Parkway. Crews are then expected to start Thursday, Jan. 8, on Beneva Road from Bee Ridge Road to Proctor Road. Motorists should expect delays since there may be lane closures during the day from 7 a.m.- 5  p.m.  

Swift Road, Sarasota (Bee Ridge Road to Stickney Point Road): Due to the December holidays, the resurfacing of Swift Road from Bee Ridge Road to Stickney Point Road is now expected to begin Thursday, Jan. 8.  Residents and businesses will be notified via door hangers before work begins in their area. Project completion is scheduled within 120 days. 

U.S. 41 and Sorrento area, Nokomis: Construction continues this week on the U.S. 41 lift station #25 project. Work crews are tunneling under U.S. 41 on the west side, just south of Giotto Road. Traffic is not expected to be impacted. This project will increase capacity and reliability of wastewater service. It also will eliminate the existing pump station and replace it with a state-of-the-art master pumping facility. Project completion is expected in the next couple of weeks.   

Tuttle Avenue, Sarasota (Webber Street to School Ave): Sewer pits and piping installation will continue for the next two weeks on Webber Street from Satsuma Drive to Phillippi Creek. Motorists should expect intermittent lane closures on both the eastbound lanes and westbound lanes of Webber Street. Lighted directional boards and flagmen will be present as necessary. All the work is part of the Phillippi Creek Septic System Replacement Program Area D project. Access to properties and businesses will be maintained at all times. The first phase of this project is expected to be completed in November 2009. 

Laurel Road and Knights Trail Road intersection, Venice: Reduced speed limits have been posted in the area of the Laurel Road and Knights Trail intersection, and movement of traffic signage has been installed while utility relocation work is under way in preparation for the intersection improvements project. The contractor has begun storm system installation throughout the site. The project includes converting the existing intersection from a two-way stop to a full signalized intersection. The project also calls for adding turning lanes, bicycle lanes and sidewalks. Motorists are advised to use caution when traveling in this area since utility companies will have vehicles entering and exiting the roadway frequently, and equipment and crews will be working alongside the roadway. Motorists should look for traffic-flow-impact signage when traveling in this area. Completion is expected in fall 2009.  

Webber Street, Sarasota (McIntosh Road to Huntington Avenue): Webber Street is reduced to two lanes on the west side of the railroad tracks while the sewer mainline is being installed. Valve pit installation will take place for the next two weeks on the south side of Webber Street from McIntosh Road to the railroad tracks. Pipe installation on Greendale Drive began Monday, Dec. 29. Streets reduced to one lane will have lighted directional boards and flagmen present. The construction is part of the Phillippi Creek Septic System Replacement Program Area K project. Access to properties and businesses will be maintained at all times. Specific road and lane closures will be posted at this site weekly. Construction is expected to be finished in June 2009. 

Siesta Key Village beautification, Siesta Key: Major work for Phase 1 of the project to bury overhead utility lines on Ocean Boulevard within the village is complete. Poles and wires will be removed once all remaining buildings have converted to underground service connections.

Construction of Phase 2 is under way. Phase 2 includes landscaping, brick sidewalks, intersection medallions, decorative lighting and street signs, an information gazebo and resurfacing of Ocean Boulevard and associated side streets. Major construction activities continue at the intersection of Ocean Boulevard and Canal Road/Avenida Messina. The west side (Avenida Messina) of the intersection will be closed to traffic. Traffic on Ocean Boulevard will not be permitted to turn westbound on Avenida Messina due to the closure. Vehicles needing to access Avenida Messina can detour south to Beach Road, west to Avenida Navarra, then north to Avenida Messina. Portions of sidewalk where construction is active may be temporarily closed to pedestrians during this time. The public beach access located at Ocean Boulevard and Beach Road is open to vehicles. Alternate walking routes are established to maintain pedestrian traffic in areas of closed sidewalks. All business entrances will remain accessible. Construction of Phase 2 is segmented to minimize disruption to the entire village area. Construction of Phase 2 is expected to be finished in April.