University Parkway Interchange on I-75 Closure to Begin

Bradenton, FL – Work on Florida’s first diverging diamond interchange will force a temporary detour route at the I-75/University Parkway interchange this week.

Prince Contracting, the contractor for the project, is expected to implement a temporary detour route at the interchange beginning Wednesday, June 15 between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. while crews set beams on the I-75 southbound bridge. The original plan was to begin the temporary detour on Thursday, June 16.

However, the detour will remain in place on Thursday between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. If weather is a factor, the contractor will extend the detour to Friday, June 17 between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. All ramps will remain open.

Motorists will need to follow the following detours:

• Traveling westbound on University Parkway (east of I-75) wishing to travel west through the interchange are directed to travel northbound on I-75, exit at westbound State Road 70/Exit 217B, enter southbound I-75 and exit at University Parkway/Exit 213.
• Traveling eastbound on University Parkway (west of I-75) wishing to travel east through the interchange are directed to travel southbound on I-75, exit at Fruitville Road/Exit 201, enter northbound I-75 and exit at University Parkway/Exit 213.
• Traveling southbound on I-75 wishing to travel east on University Parkway are directed to exit at Fruitville Road/Exit 201 (south of the closure), enter northbound I-75 and exit at University Parkway/Exit 213.
• Traveling northbound on I-75 wishing to travel on University Parkway are directed to exit at westbound State Road 70/Exit 217B (north of the closure), enter southbound I-75 and exit at University Parkway/Exit 213.

Improvements to the interchange include the construction of a diverging diamond interchange, adding an auxiliary lane on northbound and southbound I-75, constructing new bridges on I-75 over University Parkway, widening of University Parkway, widening of I-75 bridges over Errie Creek and Foley Creek, realignment of on-ramps and off-ramps at I-75/University Parkway, addition of ponds, drainage improvements, new lighting and signals, construction of a noise wall on the west side of I-75, sidewalks, bike lanes and pedestrian walkways.

The project is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2017. For more information visit the project website at www.swflroads.com/i75/university.

Photo: Governor Rick Scott participated in the groundbreaking event held on Sept. 2, 2015 for the I-75/University Parkway DDI construction project.

Image via the Florida Department of Transportation website

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