SR 70 from Lorraine Road to Bourneside Boulevard, Bradenton: Construction project: This project includes widening SR 70 from Lorraine Road to Bourneside Boulevard from a two-lane undivided roadway to a four-lane or six-lane divided roadway, depending on the location, construction of roundabouts on SR 70 at Uihlein Road, Del Webb Boulevard, and Bourneside Boulevard, intersection improvements at the existing signalized intersection of Greenbrook Boulevard and Lorraine Road, construction of four bridges over two Braden River crossing locations, new drainage system, construction of 10-foot shared use paths, street lighting, and landscaping, and installation of new fiber optic cable connecting the two signalized intersections to Manatee County’s regional Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS).

This week, crews will work to spread, mix, and grade the roadway stabilization from Del Webb Boulevard to the eastern limits of the project. Roadway embankment grading will continue throughout the project limits with construction of curb pads. Drainage work will continue on SR 70 between Del Webb Boulevard and Uihlein Road.

Work will continue with construction of two eastbound bridges, this work will involve grading, forming and placement of concrete bridge approach slabs on the eastern most bridge. The western most bridge will have its bridge deck formed, and rebar placed. All work will be done in the daytime hours. All work will be done in the daytime hours.

All work will be off the roadway with no planned long-term lane closures. However, it is expected that eastbound traffic will be interrupted for short periods of time throughout the day with flaggers as the dump trucks cross from east to west at the bridge locations. Please use caution and watch for trucks and construction vehicles entering or exiting the work zone throughout the construction limits. Work will occur Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please use caution and be aware of workers and flaggers in the area.

The Contractor will begin reconstruction of Del Webb Boulevard on Sunday, September 22, 2024, by closing the outside lanes of Del Webb Boulevard, reducing lanes to one lane in either direction. Demolition of the existing roadway will occur, followed by outside lane reconstruction with new curb, sidewalk, and drainage. Flaggers will be present on Del Webb Boulevard to permit momentary stoppages of traffic to accommodate equipment entering and exiting the work zone. Be aware of equipment, project personnel, and material adjacent to travel lanes. There will be no impact to the current traffic configuration on SR 70.

SR 70 from Manatee County Line to CR 661: Construction project: Crews will resurface SR 70 from the Manatee County line to CR 661, widen turn lanes and road shoulders, regrade ditches and improve drainage, and perform full depth roadway reconstruction at various locations. During construction the speed limit has been reduced to 50 mph and there will be periodic lane closures on SR 70 from the Manatee County line to CR 661.

• Motorists should expect intermittent shoulder closures along SR 70 throughout the project.
• Motorists should expect lane closures on SR 70 from Manatee County line to County Road 661 throughout the project.
• Please use caution in the area and watch for workers in the construction zone. 

Estimated completion is late 2024.

SR 70 From East of US 441 to Northeast 17th Avenue: Construction project: Crews will be working on milling and resurfacing, base work, drainage improvements, curb and gutter, guardrails, traffic signals, signage, pavement markings, lighting and other incidental construction.
• Motorists should expect intermittent daytime and nighttime lane closures to take place both eastbound and westbound on SR 70 between NE 17th Avenue and NE 4th Avenue for curb/sidewalk removal and pour back. Lane closures will take place in the outside travel lanes.

Expected completion is early 2025

SR 70 From Highlands County Line to SW 21st Avenue: Construction project: Crews will be working on radial widening, drainage, signage, temporary barrier wall, traffic markings, guardrail, roadway milling and resurfacing. There will be lane closures during construction on SR 70.

• Motorists should expect intermittent daytime eastbound and westbound lane closures while crews work on temporary widening, barrier wall installation, and guardrail.

SR 70 from Peace River to Southeast Baker Street: Construction project: Crews will reconstruct approximately 3.4 miles of SR 70 within the City of Arcadia, add new drainage facilities, add new and relocate sanitary and watermain utilities, install new traffic signals, reconstruct sidewalks, and add street lighting in various locations. During construction there will be lane closure on SR 70. Temporary pedestrian pathways will be installed for pedestrians during construction while sidewalks are under construction and detours will be in place during construction, while crews work on side roads; please follow signage and use caution in these areas. 

•  Motorists should expect lane closures on westbound and eastbound SR 70 from Baker Street to the apex of eastbound and westbound SR 70.
•  Robert Ave. at eastbound SR 70 is closed. A detour is in place at Luther Avenue. Please follow detour signs and allow extra travel time.
• Motorists should expect nighttime lane closures on SR 70 westbound of the Peace River and east of US 17, while crews work on utilities. 
•  New traffic pattern: Northbound US 17 traffic will merge into one lane at SR 70 westbound.  All truck traffic travelling westbound on SR 70 wanting to go northbound on US 17 will be detoured to US 17 southbound, then to SR 70 eastbound and then to US 17 northbound. 

Estimated completion is summer 2026.