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’s work will consist of:

• Eastbound traffic has been shifted onto newly constructed eastbound lanes between Uihlein Road and east of Bourneside Boulevard. Eastbound traffic will not be able to access Bourneside Boulevard North of SR 70. Westbound traffic will be able to access north Bourneside Boulevard as it can currently. A detour will be in place to route eastbound traffic to north Bourneside Boulevard via Uihlein Road to Rangeland Parkway.
• Drainage will continue on SR 70 between Greenbrook Boulevard and Lorraine Road.
• Embankment will be placed for roadway and shared use path between Greenbrook Boulevard and Uihlein Road for future eastbound lanes. Embankment will be hauled out of Pond A, west of Uihlein Road. Flaggers will briefly stop traffic to allow trucks to cross SR 70.
• Crews will grade stabilized subgrade construct curb pads between newly constructed eastbound bridges.
• Concrete mitered end sections and ditch pavement will be placed between Uihlein Rd. and Bourneside Boulevard.
• Sod will be placed along eastbound SR 70 between Uihlein Road and Bourneside Boulevard.
• There will be a new traffic pattern implemented for westbound traffic, transitioning to the newly built roadway next to the current EB traffic. Please use caution and be aware of changing traffic conditions. This change is under review and is scheduled to happen within the next 10 to 15 days.
• The existing eastbound right turn lane on SR 70 at Lorraine Road will be extended starting next week. This work will require a lane closure of the outside eastbound right turn lane. This work will continue for several weeks intermittently, with the closures occurring only during the day when work is occurring.

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.

Bourneside Boulevard is closed to construct the south portion of the Bourneside Boulevard roundabout. During this time, no traffic will be permitted on Bourneside Boulevard between The Masters Avenue and SR 70 in either direction while the existing roadway will be under construction. Motorists should use caution in the area and follow the provided detour route provided by way of The Masters Avenue to Lorraine Road. The closure will be in place into May 2025.

Greenbrook Boulevard is expected to be closed in summer 2025 to construct the south portion of the Greenbrook Boulevard intersection. During this time no traffic will be permitted on Greenbrook Boulevard between SR 70 and Skip Jack Loop in either direction. The north side of Greenbrook Boulevard and SR 70 will remain open. A complete detour and message boards will be provided in advance of the closure being implemented.

SR 70 from Bourneside Boulevard to Waterbury Road, Bradenton: Construction project: This project includes widening SR 70 from Bourneside Boulevard to Waterbury Road from a two-lane undivided roadway to a four-lane divided roadway, Safety features will include roundabouts to be constructed at 197th Street East/Lindrick Lane, 213th Street East, 225th Street East/Panther Ridge Trail and County Road 675/Waterbury Road. The project will also include the installation of a new drainage system, new curb and gutter, construction of 10-foot shared-use paths and 5-foot paved shoulders on both sides of the roadway, street lighting throughout the project and landscaping inside the roundabouts.

This week’s work will consist of:

·         Grading for the future shared-use path and roadway on the south side of SR 70 between 197th Street and Meadow Dove Lane.

·         Drainage work will continue installing an underground storm drainage pipe on the north side of SR 70 between 197th Street and 225th Street.

·         Future eastbound construction will continue with embankment hauling and stabilized subgrade construction across from the future pond, between 197th Street and 225th Street, on the South side of SR 70.

·         Drainage swale grading will continue between 213th Street and Meadow Dove Lane on the South side of SR 70.

·         Utility relocation work will occur on the North side of SR 70 on the shoulder.

·         Construction of mitered end sections and concrete ditch pavement in various locations along the south side of SR 70 from Lindrick Lane to Meadow Dove Lane.

·         Installation of concrete foundations and pull boxes for future lighting on the south side of SR 70 from west of 213th Street to Panther Ridge Trail.

In the upcoming months, Lindrick Lane, 213th Street, Pather Ridge Trail, and Meadow Dove Lane will be closed at SR 70 to construct the south portions of each intersection’s roundabout. The north side of these intersections will not be impacted. These closures are tentatively planned to begin in late summer and will occur one at a time with no concurrent closures. Detours and message boards will be provided, and advanced notice with specific closure dates will be provided once available.

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.

• Eastbound SR 70 traffic is currently using the north lane up to Lee Avenue. Between Lee Avenue and Dade Avenue, traffic shifts to the south lane and continues in the south lane until Roger Avenue, where it shifts back to the north lane, utilizing the preexisting westbound south lane.
• Westbound SR 70 traffic continues on the north side of the roadway until Volusia Avenue, where it shifts to the south lane. Between Manatee Avenue and Dade Avenue, traffic shifts back to the north lane.
• A truck detour for traffic traveling northbound on US 17 and turning west onto SR 70 westbound will be in place late April 2025.

Anticipated traffic switch:

• Westbound SR 70 traffic between Volusia Avenue and Dade Avenue is expected to shift from the south side to the north lane in approximately one month.
• Westbound SR 70 traffic between Luther Avenue and Volusia Avenue, currently on the north side, is expected to shift to the south lane in six to eight weeks.

Estimated completion is summer 2026.

SR 70 at Kissimmee River Bridge and Popash Slough Bridge: Construction Project: Crews will begin bridge repair and rehabilitation work next week on SR 70 at the Kissimmee River Bridge and Popash Slough Bridge.

• Intermittent lane closures will occur throughout the project, with traffic reduced to one lane as needed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Motorists should be aware of changing traffic patterns, heavy equipment, and workers present in the construction zone.
• Use caution when traveling through the area and obey posted signage and flagging operations.

Estimated project completion is summer 2025.