The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District One is conducting a Design-Build project to widen River Road from north of US 41 to south of I-75. The project limits fall within Sarasota County. The project length is approximately 5.06 miles. A Project Development & Environmental (PD&E) Study was completed to examine environmental impacts and opportunities for mitigation. The project will widen the roadway from two lanes to six lanes between US 41 and Center Road, and from two lanes to four lanes between Center Road and I-75. Work will include drainage and safety improvements. Shared use paths, raised medians, wildlife crossings, signing and pavement markings, lighting, signalization, and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) features will also be part of the project.

Construction began in February 2022. Design is anticipated to finish in summer of 2022 on this design-build project.

Project Updates

June 4, 2023

SR 777 River Road from I-75 to US 41: Construction project: Motorists can expect pond excavation near Venice Avenue on the northbound roadway and near West Villages Parkway on the southbound roadway. Embankment activities continue on the southbound roadway from US 41 to Stoney Creek Boulevard and curb and gutter is being installed at various areas on southbound roadway. Trucks will be crossing the road at various locations using intermittent flagging operations.  Drainage installation will also continue between Observation Boulevard and US 41.  Traffic may be shifted slightly from Stoney Creek Boulevard to just south of I-75. Please pay attention to the signs.

May 21, 2023

SR 777 River Road from US 41 to I-75: Construction project: Motorists can expect pond excavation near Venice Avenue on the northbound roadway and near West Villages Parkway on the southbound roadway. Embankment activities continue on the southbound roadway from US 41 to Stoney Creek Boulevard and curb and gutter is being installed at various areas on southbound roadway. Trucks will be crossing the road at various locations using intermittent flagging operations.  Drainage installation will also continue between Observation Boulevard and US 41.  Traffic may be shifted slightly from Stoney Creek Blvd to just south of I-75. Please pay attention to the signs. Overall completion expected mid-2025.

May 14, 2023

SR 777 River Road from US 41 to I-75: Construction project: Motorists can expect pond excavation near Venice Avenue on the northbound roadway. Embankment activities continue on the southbound roadway from US 41 to Stoney Creek Blvd. Trucks will be crossing the road at various locations using intermittent flagging operations.  Drainage installation will also continue between Observation Blvd and US 41. Traffic may be shifted slightly from Stoney Creek Blvd to just south of I-75. Please pay attention to the signs. Overall completion expected mid-2025.

May 7, 2023

SR 777 River Road from US 41 to I-75: Construction project: Motorists can expect pond excavation near Venice Avenue on the northbound roadway. Embankment activities continue on the southbound roadway from US 41 to Stoney Creek Blvd. Trucks will be crossing the road at various locations using intermittent flagging operations.  Drainage installation will also continue between Observation Blvd and Aucilla Dr. There may be miscellaneous paving north and south of Venice Ave along northbound and southbound roadways, however, it will be out of traffic. Overall completion expected mid-2025.

April 30, 2023

SR 777 River Road from US 41 to I-75: Construction project: Motorists can expect pond excavation near Venice Avenue on the northbound roadway. Embankment activities continue on the southbound roadway from US 41 to Venice Avenue. Trucks will be crossing the road at various locations using intermittent flagging operations.  Drainage installation will also continue between Observation Blvd and Aucilla Dr.  Paving operations will take place during nighttime hours along NB and SB roadway from N of Venice Ave to Stoney Creek Blvd. Overall completion expected mid-2025.

April 23, 2023

SR 777 River Road from US 41 to I-75: Construction project: Motorists can expect pond excavation near Venice Avenue on the northbound roadway. Embankment activities continue on the southbound roadway from US 41 to Venice Avenue and northbound roadway from Venice Avenue to the north. Lighting installation will continue on northbound and southbound roadway, near Venice Avenue; trucks will be crossing the road at various locations using intermittent flagging operations.  Drainage and curb installation will also continue at various project locations. Overall completion expected mid-2025.

April 16, 2023

SR 777 River Road from US 41 to I-75: Construction project: Motorists can expect pond excavation near Venice Avenue on the northbound roadway. Embankment activities continue on the southbound roadway from US 41 to Venice Avenue and northbound roadway from Venice Avenue to the north. Lighting installation will continue on northbound and southbound roadway, near Venice Avenue; trucks will be crossing the road at various locations using intermittent flagging operations.  Drainage and curb installation will also continue at various project locations. Overall completion expected mid-2025.

April 9, 2023

SR 777 River Road from US 41 to I-75: Construction project: Motorists can expect pond excavation near Venice Avenue on the northbound roadway. Embankment activities continue on the southbound roadway from US 41 to Venice Avenue and northbound roadway from Venice Avenue to the north. Lighting installation will continue on northbound and southbound roadway, near Venice Avenue; trucks will be crossing the road at various locations using intermittent flagging operations. Drainage installation will also continue at various project locations. Signal foundations will be installed at Center Road and West Villages Parkway. Overall completion expected mid-2025.

April 2, 2023

SR 777 River Road from US 41 to I-75: Construction project: Motorists can expect pond excavation near Venice Avenue on the northbound roadway. Embankment activities continue on the southbound roadway from Center Road to US 41 and lighting installation will commence on northbound roadway, north of Venice Ave; trucks will be crossing the road at various locations using intermittent flagging operations.  Drainage installation will resume at various project locations and tree mulching operations are taking place along the southbound roadway from Observation Boulevard to US 41. Overall completion expected mid-2025.

March 20, 2023

SR 777 River Road from US 41 to I-75: Construction project: Motorists can expect pond excavation near Venice Avenue on the northbound roadway. Embankment activities continue on the southbound roadway from Center Road to US 41; trucks will be crossing the road at various locations using intermittent flagging operations.  Drainage installation will resume at various project locations and tree mulching operations are taking place along the southbound roadway from Observation Boulevard to US 41 and just north of Rambler’s Rest RV Park on northbound roadway. A new traffic shift is in place between Center Road and just south of Venice Avenue so please use caution in the area. TECO Gas crews will also be installing gas main (brown pipe) along the entire corridor. Overall completion expected mid-2025.

March 13, 2023

SR 777 River Road from US 41 to I-75: Construction project: Motorists can expect pond excavation near Venice Avenue on the northbound roadway. Embankment activities continue on the southbound roadway from Venice Avenue to US 41 and on northbound roadway from Center Road to just south of I-75; trucks will be crossing the road at various locations using intermittent flagging operations.  Drainage installation will resume at various project locations and tree mulching operations are taking place along the southbound roadway from Observation Boulevard to US 41 and just north of Rambler’s Rest RV Park on northbound roadway. A new traffic shift is in place between Center Road and just south of Venice Avenue so please use caution in the area. Signal foundations will be installed at Center Road and West Villages Parkway, but no traffic impact is expected. TECO Gas crews will also be installing gas main (brown pipe) along the entire corridor. Overall completion expected mid-2025.

March 5, 2023

SR 777 River Road from US 41 to I-75: Construction project: Motorists can expect pond excavation near Venice Avenue on the northbound roadway. Embankment activities continue on the southbound roadway from Venice Avenue to US 41 and on northbound roadway from Center Road to just south of I-75; trucks will be crossing the road at various locations using intermittent flagging operations.  Drainage installation will resume at various project locations and tree mulching operations are taking place along the southbound roadway from Observation Boulevard to US 41 and just north of Rambler’s Rest RV Park on northbound roadway. A new traffic shift is in place between Center Road and just south of Venice Avenue so please use caution in the area. Signal foundations will be installed at Center Road and West Villages Parkway, but no traffic impact is expected. TECO Gas crews will also be installing gas main (brown pipe) along the entire corridor. Overall completion expected mid-2025.

February 19, 2023
SR 777 River Road from US 41 to I-75: Construction project: Motorists can expect pond excavation near Venice Avenue on the northbound roadway. Embankment activities continue on the southbound roadway from Venice Ave to US 41 and on northbound roadway from Center Road to just south of I-75; trucks will be crossing the road at various locations using intermittent flagging operations. Drainage installation will resume at various project locations and tree mulching operations are taking place along the southbound roadway from Observation Boulevard to US 41 and just north of Rambler’s Rest RV Park on northbound roadway. Paving and striping operations will be taking place adjacent to the northbound lanes and a traffic shift is scheduled for February 24 (during daytime hours) between Center Rd and just south of Venice Ave. TECO Gas crews will also be installing gas main (brown pipe) on northbound roadway along the entire corridor. Overall completion expected mid-2025.

February 12, 2023
SR 777 River Road from US 41 to I-75: Construction project: Motorists can expect pond excavation near Venice Avenue on the northbound roadway. Embankment activities continue on the southbound roadway from Center Road to US 41 and on northbound roadway from Center Road to just south of I-75; trucks will be crossing the road at various locations using intermittent flagging operations. Mulching trees, clearing and grubbing is taking place along the southbound roadway from Observation Boulevard to US 41 and just north of Rambler’s Rest RV Park on northbound roadway. TECO Gas crews will also be installing gas main (brown pipe) on northbound roadway along the entire corridor. Overall completion expected mid-2025.

February 9, 2023
The Florida Department of Transportation’s contractor for the River Road Design-Build Project plans to take the traffic signal offline at Center Road and River Road on Thursday, February 9 from approximately 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. This activity will allow crews to move the signal controller cabinet as part of the widening. Traffic control officers will be on site to direct traffic. Please be advised that schedules are subject to change due to weather and other circumstances.

February 5, 2023
SR 777 River Road from US 41 to I-75: Construction project: Motorists can expect pond excavation near Venice Avenue on the northbound roadway. Embankment activities continue on the southbound roadway from Center Road to US 41 and on northbound roadway from Center Road to just south of I-75; trucks will be crossing the road at various locations using intermittent flagging operations. Mulching trees, clearing and grubbing is taking place along the southbound roadway from Observation Boulevard to US 41 and just north of Rambler’s Rest RV Park on northbound roadway. Installation of signal pole foundations is on-going throughout the project. TECO Gas crews will also be installing gas main (brown pipe) on northbound roadway along the entire corridor. Overall completion expected mid-2025.

January 29, 2023
SR 777 River Road from US 41 to I-75: Construction project: Motorists can expect pond excavation near Venice Avenue on the northbound roadway. Embankment activities continue on the southbound roadway from Center Road to US 41 and on northbound roadway from Center Road to Venice Avenue; trucks will be crossing the road at various locations using intermittent flagging operations. Mulching trees, clearing and grubbing is taking place along the southbound roadway from Observation Boulevard to US 41 and just north of Rambler’s Rest RV Park on northbound roadway. Installation of drainage continues south of Venice Ave along the southbound roadway. TECO Gas crews will also be installing gas main (brown pipe) on northbound roadway along the entire corridor. Overall completion expected mid-2025.

January 22, 2023
SR 777 River Road from US 41 to I-75: Construction project: Motorists can expect pond excavation near Venice Ave (northbound) and embankment activities on the southbound roadway from Center Road to US 41; trucks will be crossing the road at various locations using intermittent flagging operations. Mulching trees, clearing and grubbing is taking place along the southbound roadway, from Observation Boulevard to US 41 and installation of drainage from Venice Avenue to I-75 continues. TECO Gas crews will also be installing gas main on northbound roadway along the entire corridor. Overall completion expected mid-2025.

January 15, 2023
SR 777 River Road from US 41 to I-75: Construction project: Motorists can expect pond excavation near Venice Ave (northbound) and embankment activities on the southbound roadway from Center Road to US 41; trucks will be crossing the road at various locations using intermittent flagging operations.   Mulching trees, clearing and grubbing is taking place along the southbound roadway, from Observation Boulevard to US 41 and installation of drainage from Venice Avenue to I-75 continues. Drilled shafts for signal mast arms will be installed at each corner of the Venice Avenue/River Road intersection. No lanes will be closed. TECO Gas crews will also be installing gas main on northbound roadway along the entire corridor. Overall completion expected mid-2025.

January 8, 2023
SR 777 River Road from US 41 to I-75: Construction project: Motorists can expect pond excavation near Venice Ave (northbound) and embankment activities on the southbound roadway from Center Road to US 41; trucks will be crossing the road at various locations using intermittent flagging operations.   Mulching trees, clearing and grubbing is taking place along the southbound roadway, from Observation Boulevard to US 41 and installation of drainage from Venice Avenue to I-75 continues. TECO Gas crews will also be installing gas main on northbound roadway along the entire corridor. Overall completion expected mid-2025.

December 18, 2022
SR 777 River Road from US 41 to I-75: Construction project: This week motorists can expect pond excavation and embankment activities on the southbound roadway from Center Road to US 41; trucks will be crossing the road at various locations using intermittent flagging operations.   Mulching trees, clearing and grubbing is taking place along the southbound roadway, from Observation Boulevard to US 41 and installation of drainage from Venice Avenue to I-75 continue. TECO Gas crews will also be installing gas main on northbound roadway. Overall completion expected mid-2025.

Adjacent to River Road on Venice Avenue east to Snook Haven: The road will be closed on Monday, December 19 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for resurfacing by Sarasota County.

December 11, 2022
SR 777 River Road from US 41 to I-75: Construction project: This week motorists can expect pond excavation and embankment activities on the southbound roadway from Center Road to US 41; trucks will be crossing the road at various locations using intermittent flagging operations. Mulching trees, clearing and grubbing is taking place along the southbound roadway, from Observation Boulevard to US 41 and installation of drainage from Venice Avenue to I-75. There may be an intermittent flagging operation on Venice Avenue east of River Road as they install pipe across the road. TECO Gas crews will also be installing gas main on northbound roadway. Overall completion expected mid-2025.

December 4, 2022
SR 777 River Road from US 41 to I-75: Construction project: This week motorists can expect pond excavation and embankment activities on the southbound roadway from Center Road to US 41; trucks will be crossing the road at various locations using intermittent flagging operations. Mulching trees, clearing and grubbing is taking place along the southbound roadway, from Observation Boulevard to US 41 and installation of drainage from Venice Avenue to I-75. There will be an intermittent flagging operation on Venice Ave east of River Rd as they install pipe across the road. TECO Gas crews will also be installing gas main on northbound roadway. Overall completion expected mid-2025.

November 27, 2022
SR 777 River Road from US 41 to I-75: Construction project: This week motorists can expect pond excavation and embankment activities on the southbound roadway from Center Road to US 41; trucks will be crossing the road at various locations using intermittent flagging operations.   Mulching trees, clearing and grubbing is taking place along the southbound roadway, from Observation Blvd to US 41 and installation of drainage from Venice Ave to I-75. TECO Gas crews will also be installing gas main on northbound roadway. Overall completion expected mid 2025.

Project Schedule

PD&E Study and Roadway Design: Mid-2021 to Early 2022
Public Meeting: Early 2022
Construction: Early 2022 to Mid 2025

The Florida Department of Transportation District One held a public meeting on January 27, 2022 to share information about a design-build project to widen River Road (State Road (SR) 777) from north of US 41 to south of I-75 in Sarasota County.