Lakeland Area Roadwork Planned By FDOT This Week

SARASOTA, FL — The Florida Department of Transportation is warning about upcoming road work in Southwest Florida that may affect your commute. The following list is provided by the Florida Department of Transportation for major state road projects in the area:

Visit www.FL511.com or dial “511” from your phone to learn about traffic conditions on major roadways across the state.

POLK COUNTY

Ewell Road from east of Irby Lane to Old Highway 37: Construction project: Expect daytime lane closures with flaggers directing traffic throughout the project as crews continue reconstructing driveway connections, widening and placing curb and gutter.

This project includes replacing the bridge over Poley Creek, adding traffic signals and turn lanes at both Lunn Road intersections, resurfacing and upgrading signal equipment at Old Highway 37, drainage improvements, and milling and resurfacing in various locations. The contractor is SEMA Construction. Expected completion is early 2019.

US 98 just north of Princeton Manor Lane: Maintenance permit project: Watch for northbound daytime lane closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through December while crews add a new turn lane and driveway.

US 98 near South Crystal Lake Drive: Maintenance permit project: Watch for nighttime/overnight southbound lane closures at the entrance to Grove Park Shopping Plaza from 7:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. through January while crews remove and replace curb and gutters.

US 27 at Hunt Brothers Road: Maintenance permit project: Watch for northbound daytime lane closures as crews construct a new turn lane, driveway and signal. Use caution and be prepared to merge.

US 27 at US 98: Maintenance permit project: Watch for southbound daytime lane closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through January as crews construct a new driveway. Use caution and be prepared to merge.

US 17/92 east of Old Lee Jackson Road: Maintenance permit project: Watch for daytime lane closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in both directions as crews build new turn lanes and work in the median. Use caution and be prepared to merge.

US 17/92 from W Cummings Street to W Orange Street: Maintenance permit project: Watch for eastbound daytime lane closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. as crews reconstruct curb and sidewalk. Use caution and watch for vehicles entering and leaving the roadway.

US 17 (3rd Street) and 1st Street at Avenue O SW: Maintenance permit project: Watch for nighttime/overnight lane closures from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., as crews take cores of the roadway. Use caution and be prepared to stop or merge.

US 17 from the Hardee County line to Bartow: Maintenance contracts project: Watch for slow moving vehicles and wet paint as crews refresh striping on the roadway. Use caution and do not cross freshly painted lines or pass between paint crew vehicles.

US 17 from Main Street to Clower Street in Bartow: Maintenance contracts project: Watch for workers close to the road and intermittent lane closures as crews’ repair sidewalk. Use caution and be prepared to merge.

US 17 from Bartow to Eagle Lake: Maintenance contracts project: Watch for workers close to the roadand intermittent lane closures as crews desilt drainage pipes. Use caution and be prepared to merge.

SR 659 (North Combee Road) at Lakeland Hills Boulevard: Maintenance permit project: Watch for eastbound lane closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through January while crews add a new driveway and regrade the ditch. Use caution and be prepared to merge.

SR 544 (Havendale Boulevard) from US 92 in Auburndale to US 17 in Winter Haven: Maintenance contracts project: Watch for intermittent shoulder and lane closures with workers close to the road and trucks entering and leaving the roadway, as crews repair sidewalks, driveways and trip hazards. Use caution and be prepared to merge. The contractor is Evans Contracting Services.

SR 544 (Lucerne Park Road) from Conine Road to Avenue Y: Maintenance permit project: Watch for lane closures with flaggers directing traffic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through January as crews make a new drainage connection and build a new right turn lane. Use caution and be prepared to merge.

SR 542 from 1st Street to Buckeye Loop Road: Construction project: Expect nighttime/overnight lane closures as crews install barrier wall and pedestrian detours. During the day, watch for workers close to theroad and trucks entering and leaving the project while crews continue clearing the project and installing force main.

Pedestrian detours are in place throughout the project for pedestrian safety. Please use designated walkways to avoid construction.

This project includes widening and adding a center turn lane, sidewalk and bike lanes; upgrading existing signal equipment; placing two mid-block crosswalks; and installing new water and sewer lines. Watson Civil Construction, Inc. is the contractor. Expected completion is fall 2020.
SR 60 from Diesel Road to Hillsborough County Line: Construction project: Use caution and watch for daytime lane closures to complete punch list items and striping. This project includes resurfacing, drainage improvements, guardrail installation and median modifications. The Lane Construction Corporation is the contractor. Expected completion is fall 2018.

SR 37 from CR 640 (Pinecrest Road) to CR 630: Construction project: Watch for daytime lane closures with flaggers directing traffic as crews stripe the new roadway. Use caution and be prepared to stop.

Work on this project requires grinding out the old roadway and placing new asphalt, reconstructing shoulders and modifying the signal at CR 640 (Pinecrest Road). Ajax Paving is the contractor. Estimated completion is early 2019.

SR 37 north of West Pipkin Road: Maintenance permit project: Watch for nighttime/overnight southbound lane closures from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. while crews add a new right turn lane at McDonalds through December.

SR 37 at Poppell Drive: Maintenance permit project: Watch for northbound nighttime/overnight lane closures as crews reconstruct curb and driveway through January. Use caution and be prepared to merge.

SR 37 from Oppitz Lane to Palencia Place: Maintenance permit project: Watch for nighttime/overnight southbound lane closures from 8:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews’ directional bore to install underground utilities. Use caution and be prepared to merge.

SARASOTA COUNTY

Laurel Road at the Legacy Trail Crossing: Construction project: Crews are constructing a pedestrian bridge along the Legacy Trail over Laurel Road. Please be aware of construction vehicles entering and leaving the construction zone. Intermittent single lane closures at the bridge are possible from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays only. Denson Construction, Inc. is the contractor for the bridge. Expected completion is late 2018.

I-75 at the University Parkway Interchange (Exit 213): Construction project: Crews are installing landscaping and irrigation systems at the I-75 and University Parkway interchange. Lane closures on I-75, if needed, will occur between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Lane closures on University Parkway, if needed, will occur between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Estimated completion is spring 2019. The contractor is Frankie Valdez Company, Inc.

US 41 from SR 789 to Ritz Carlton Drive and sidewalk located along the north side of SR 789 from Sunset Drive to US 41: Maintenance permit project: The sidewalk will remain closed until construction of the development located at the corner of US 41 and SR 789 is complete. Pedestrians should follow the established detour.

US 41 from Salford Boulevard to Sumter Boulevard: Construction project: Crews are widening US 41 from Salford Boulevard to Sumter Boulevard to a six-lane highway; resurfacing the roadway; improving drainage; constructing sidewalk, and installing highway lighting. Expect nighttime/overnight lane closures from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. when crews are resurfacing the roadway. Expect periodic driveway closures along the northbound lanes while crews are installing drainage systems. Russell Engineering, Inc. is the contractor. Expected completion is spring 2019.

US 41 Roundabouts at 10th Street and 14th Street, Sarasota: Construction project:
Crews continue work within the right-of-way, medians and driveways. In observance of the holidays, construction activities are suspended Friday, 12/28/18 (half work day) through Tuesday, 1/1/19.

• Temporary single lane closures may occur between 9th Street and 15th Street from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. if nighttime activities are scheduled.
• Installation of roadway base is expected on the west side of US 41. Expect noise from heavy machinery, dust and dump trucks moving in and out of traffic.

MANATEE COUNTY

I-275 at the Sunshine Skyway Rest Areas in Manatee and Pinellas Counties: Construction project:Improvements include constructing new rest areas and new parking lots with LED lighting, seawall repairs and extending the seawall at the Manatee County rest area to accommodate a new picnic pavilion. The Pinellas County Skyway Rest Area is closed for renovations. During this time, motorists will be directed to the Manatee County Skyway Rest Area. The closure is expected to last until fall 2018. The fishing piers will remain open during the closure. Construction is on-going on the new rest area site and the seawall on the Manatee side, west of I-275. Expected completion of both rest areas is fall 2019. David Nelson Construction Company is the contractor.

I-275 Southbound Ramp to I-75 Northbound (Exit 228): Construction project: Crews are replacing the concrete bridge deck on the southbound I-275 ramp to northbound I-75. The I-275 southbound ramp to northbound I-75 is closed for approximately ten (10) months. Traffic is being detoured north on US 41/S Tamiami Trail to SR 674/E College Avenue in Hillsborough County. A temporary traffic signal has been installed on US 41 at the southbound I-275 exit. Periodic nighttime/overnight I-75 northbound/southbound and I-275 southbound lane closures beneath I-275 will occur during construction.There are no scheduled lane closures through January 2, 2019. There will be nighttime/overnight northbound and southbound lane closures on I-75 beginning Thursday night January 3, 2019. Motorists should also expect nighttime/overnight lane closures on the I-275 southbound to I-75 southbound ramp from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m beginning Thursday January 3, 2019. Use caution andwatch for changes in the traffic pattern. Expected completion is summer 2019. Cone & Graham, Inc. is the contractor.

I-75 at SR 70 Interchange (Exit 217): Construction project: In observance of the holidays, crews will not be working December 29, 2018 through January 1, 2019. This week, crews will work on clearing vegetation, retaining walls, drainage improvements, lighting, and SR 70 median work. There will be no lane or ramp closures between Sunday, December 23, 2018 and Wednesday, January 2, 2019.

· Motorists should expect lane closures on I-75 during nighttime/overnight hours from 8.45 p.m. to 6 a.m. (northbound) or 8.00 p.m. to 5 a.m. (southbound) 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-75 at SR 64 (Manatee Avenue) Interchange (Exit 220): Construction project: In observance

of the holidays, crews will not be working December 30, 2018 and January 1, 2019. There will be no lane or ramp closures between Sunday, December 23, 2018 and Wednesday, January 2, 2019. This week, crews are currently widening and resurfacing southbound I-75 and performing ramp, grading, lighting, and drainage work, and SR 64 reconstruction.

· Ramp Closure: The SR 64 on-ramp to I-75 southbound will be closed on Thursday, January 3, 2019, during the overnight hours, between 11 pm and 5 am.

· Motorists are advised that one lane closure in each direction on SR 64 may occur during the overnight hours between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. throughout the duration of the project.

· Motorists are advised that one lane closure in each direction on I-75 may occur during the overnight hours between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. throughout the duration of the project.

This project reconstructs the interchange, widens interchange ramps and SR 64, and installs sidewalks and bicycle lanes on SR 64. Variable message signs will be in place to alert drivers that work is underway. Drivers should use caution while traveling in this area. Estimated completion is late 2019. The contractor is Prince Contracting LLC.

I-75 at the University Parkway Interchange (Exit 213): Construction project: Crews are installing landscaping and irrigation systems at the I-75 and University Parkway interchange. Lane closures on I-75, if needed, will occur between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Lane closures on University Parkway, if needed, will occur between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Estimated completion is spring 2019. The contractor is Frankie Valdez Company, Inc.

US 301 from CR 675 to Moccasin Wallow Road: Construction project: Crews are installing new landscaping, irrigation and welcome signs. Superior Landscaping & Lawn Services is the contractor. Expected completion is early 2019.

Business US 41 (9th Street W) at the Green Bridge; at 3rd Avenue W, and from 3rd Avenue W to SR 64 (Manatee Avenue): Construction project: Crews are constructing a multi-use path; constructing sidewalk; improving drainage; constructing turn lanes, and installing new signing and pavement markings. Expect nighttime/overnight lane closures on Business US 41 (9th Street W) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. while crews are working. Estimated completion is spring 2019. The contractor is Gosalia Concrete Constructors, Inc.

US 41 at Moccasin Wallow Road: Construction project: Crews are constructing turn lanes, resurfacing the roadway, improving drainage on Moccasin Wallow Road at US 41. Construction begins Wednesday, January 2. Expect daytime and nighttime lane closures while construction is ongoing. Estimated completion is early 2019. Blacktip Services Incorporated is the contractor.

SR 789/Gulf Drive from SR 64 (Manatee Avenue) to SR 684 (Cortez Road): Maintenance permit project: Manatee County is installing new force mains and water mains. For additional information about the project, please visit the project website at www.amipipereplacement.com.

SR 70 (15th Street E) at 9th Avenue E: Construction project: Crews are constructing a roundabout; installing highway lighting and landscaping; improving drainage; constructing sidewalk, and resurfacing the roadway. The intersection of SR 70 (15th Street E) and 9th Avenue E is closed during construction. Please use 13th Avenue E and 7th Avenue E as alternate routes during this time. A temporary traffic signal will be installed at the intersection of SR 70 (15th Street E) and 13th Avenue E while the detour is in effect. Watson Civil Construction, Inc., is the contractor. Expected completion is spring 2019.

SR 64 at Rye Road: Construction project: Crews are constructing a multi-lane roundabout;

resurfacing the roadway; improving drainage, and installing new highway lighting and landscaping. There are no scheduled lane closures through January 2, 2019. State Road 64 will be reduced to one lane in each direction beginning January 3, 2019. The speed limit is reduced to 45 mph within the construction zone. IBT Construction is the contractor. Expected completion is late 2019.

Photo by Renee Schiavone