3 Major Road Projects Start Monday

Three major road construction projects will start this week in Sarasota, and city officials are encouraging drivers to pre-plan their detours.

The three projects are:

City officials acknowledged that it's not the ideal time to start major roadwork when tourist season is under way, but planning is tied to when money is released and how long the city has to spend the money because those projects are predominately funded by the Florida Department of Transportation.

"When the city receives funding, many times there are time constraints on when those dollars can be allocated," explained Public Services Manager Mike DelRossi in a news release. "We also have to coordinate the timing with other local construction projects. Presently, the construction of the Ringling roundabouts and the Fruitville Road repaving may overlap for a short period of time.

"The timing for overlapping projects could change depending on the city’s review and approval of the schedule from the contractors. We’re sensitive to traffic congestion and delays," DelRossi continued. "That’s why several project managers are working together to coordinate the timing of construction and traffic flow as best we can."

Ringling Construction

The on the south side of Ringling Boulevard, at Pineapple Avenue and Palm Avenue, will be constructed simultaneously, beginning Monday. The roundabouts will replace a traffic signal and a four-way stop. 

Construction will start on the south side, allowing one lane of traffic through on the north side, the city announced.

Once the south side of Ringling is completed, the project will switch to the north side. The roundabouts are expected to be finished in spring 2012.

Although the contracts for the two roundabouts were bid separately, they were awarded to the same Sarasota-based company, Spectrum Underground.

For more information about the Ringling roundabouts, call City of Sarasota's Coordinator of Capital Projects Neil Gaines at 941-365-2200, ext. 6309

Fruitville Road repaving

Monday through Christmas, Fruitville Road from U.S 301 to U.S. 41 will be milled and paved from 7 p.m. through 7 a.m. All traffic lanes will be open during morning and afternoon rush hours.

Traffic will be allowed through that stretch of road, but drivers should expect delays, the city said.

along the repaving area may be temporarily interrupted in the evening. Visit www.scgov.net for more details for schedule information.

Crews will return in January to install new landscaping in the medians during the day. By that time, paving should be completed, the city said.

If the paving and median work goes according to schedule, the entire Fruitville Road project is expected to be completed by April, the city said.

For more information about the Fruitville Road project, call project manager Bill Nichols at 941-365-2200, ext. 6362