Manatee County and the Florida Department of Transportation are slated to spend more than $227 million on a variety of road projects over the course of the next decade as they work in conjunction to address regional transportation needs.
Projects will include widening and adding roadways, as well as improvements at intersections to improve traffic flow and safety.
Specific projects
One significant project is an $80.8 million project that will completely reconfigure the I-75 and S.R. 70 interchange, while also widening nearly seven miles of I-75 from the University Parkway to the south of S.R. 64. The project is scheduled for completion in Spring 2021.
The Florida Department of Transportation also announced a $90.1 million project that will feature the widening and improvement of S.R. 70 east of Lorraine Road, which will occur in stages over the next decade. The first segment to be improved will be Lorraine Road to Post Boulevard. The current plan is for construction on the final segment to begin in late 2025.
Local authorities say the projects mark important infrastructural upgrades to maintain the quality of life in the area and to improve traffic flow and reduce gridlock. The county is also investigating ways to fund more transportation projects through creative means, such as issuing bonds. These projects are in the county’s five-year capital improvement plan.
Any time there is road construction work, it affects the safety of the roadways affected. People driving through construction zones must follow all posted signs, speed limits and instructions, and pay extra close attention to their surroundings to ensure they stay clear of road workers.
For more information about the rules of the road during road construction and who is liable for accidents in construction scenarios, contact an experienced Bradenton, FL personal injury lawyer at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez & Walsh.