Contractors start work on gravity wall project

EAST COUNTY — Beneath the overpass of Interstate 75 and University Parkway, piles of concrete and wooden wall-like structures are evidence of efforts to make the interchange more pedestrian friendly.

Contractor Florida Safety Contractors is busy constructing a sidewalk on the north side of the road and began work Friday to rebuild a gravity wall, the sloping concrete wall under the overpass.

“(It is) the necessary design to accommodate the sidewalk construction,” said Lauren Hatchell, spokeswoman for the project, which is being completed by the Florida Department of Transportation.

“Essentially, the concrete you see being removed at this time will be replaced.”

Contractors also will add pavement to the northbound ramp.

“(It’s) just to help with the turn for the inside lane,” she said. “That is going to start at the end of this week, weather permitting.”

Workers closed a portion of that ramp from 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7 to 6 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, Hatchell said.
Contractors began the work in October and are expected to finish on time, in April.

Once finished, the $545,000 project will extend about 3,400 feet, roughly from Market Street in Lakewood Ranch to Cooper Creek Boulevard, just west of I-75.

Hatchell said former Manatee County District 5 Commissioner Donna Hayes requested the improvement by letter in October 2010, at which time Hayes asked the state to construct a sidewalk on the north side of the road in FDOT right of way; it would connect with existing sidewalks on either side of the overpass.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].