Signal installation to cause traffic delays

Drivers along State Road 70 west of Braden Run road should expect delays early next week.

Crews are installing a permanent mast arm signal and emergency signal adjacent to East Manatee Fire Rescue Station 6, at 8800 State Road 70 E., Bradenton.

There will be eastbound daytime right-turn lane and outside lane closures today, likely from noon to 3 p.m., while materials are being delivered.

State Road 70 will temporarily close to traffic during nighttime hours Monday, Oct. 26 while crews install the new mast arm and signal. Law enforcement will direct traffic at this time, but motorists should plan to use an alternative route.

Project spokeswoman Lauren Hatchell, representing the Florida Department of Transportation, said a specific timeframe has not yet been set, but it will likely be after 10 p.m. The replacement should take about two hours and will require the complete closure of State Road 70 around the site for about 30 minutes.

"It's not going to impact traffic as much as it did when we took down the damaged one about a year ago," Hatchell said. "Law enforcement will have to close east and westbound State Road 70, so traffic will just have to sit for a little bit, just while they put the mast arm in."

Hatchell said FDOT has coordinated with East Manatee Fire Rescue and EMS services to ensure there will be no impact to response time times for emergencies.