People traveling to and from Siesta Key should expect delays through Oct. 7 until Siesta Drive, Higel Avenue and Midnight Pass Road are resurfaced.

Although construction in the area began one month ago, major lane closures started Monday to build additional 6-foot shoulders on each side.

Paving was originally scheduled to take place between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., but noise-ordinance restrictions limit it to the hours of 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., which means construction will last longer than expected. Calls were reported Monday and Tuesday from concerned citizens regarding delays of more than 20 minutes.

“People feel the delays are too long, and because they are not aware of the noise ordinance, they are questioning why construction isn’t being done at night,” said Darren Alfonso, director of communications for ValErin Group Inc.

Construction at the north entrance to Siesta should be completed by 4 p.m. today and will resume Monday, Sept. 28 at the intersection of Higel Avenue and Midnight Pass Road.

“We are not working tomorrow (Friday, Sept. 25) out of consideration, because we expect more traffic on a Friday and don’t want to create extended backups and delays,” Alfonso said. “Once we finish the intersection, we will move to Midnight Pass and dramatically reduce traffic delays.”

Providing there is no inclement weather, drivers should expect construction to be completed by Wednesday, Oct. 7.

Contact Loren Mayo at lmayo@yourobserver.com.

 

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