EAST COUNTY — The Florida Department of Transportation has begun work to resurface and improve a roughly six-mile section of State Road 70, from just east of Lorraine Road to County Road 675.

Work began in mid-November, and contractor Ajax Paving Industries Inc. is currently focused on constructing turn lanes for eastbound and westbound traffic for the new TreeUmph Adventure Course, at 21805 State Road 70 E., Bradenton. Crews are also clearing landscaping and debris and installing erosion control within the project limits, said JoAnn May, of FDOT’s Public Information Office.

“The top priority for the department is safety and then preservation of our highway system, which means we look at the conditions of the roadway,” May said about why the improvements are being made. “If we see any rut or cracks, the department will then work on funding to schedule a project for resurfacing.”

Construction activities for the $2.9 million project are scheduled from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, with paving and nighttime work slated for 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays, an FDOT project report states.

Motorists may experience temporary lane closures during construction activities as well and are being asked to drive cautiously. Flagmen will be present when necessary.

“Work will occur during the daytime with intermittent lane closures from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday,” May said. “The contractor plans to start nighttime/overnight paving operations in January. This work will require intermittent lane closures from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning Sunday night/overnight and continuing every night through Friday morning, weather permitting.”

As part of the overall project, the crew will be adding curb and gutter and widening the northbound and southbound shoulders of the road to five feet, where none exist today, May said.

“Guardrail is being installed at various locations throughout the project, as required,” she added. “For example, we typically install guardrail near bridges, ditches and slopes.”

Contact Pam Eubanks at peubanks@yourobserver.com.

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PROJECT DETAILS
Work: Milling and resurfacing, widening, base work, shoulder treatment, guardrail installation, drainage improvements and signing and pavement markings for a 5.86-mile stretch of State Road 70 between Lorraine Road and County Road 675.
Project cost: $2.9 million
Contract: Ajax Paving Industries of Sarasota
Completion date: Spring 2013
 

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