FDOT readies for S.R. 64 construction

MANATEE COUNTY — The Florida Department of Transportation is preparing to start work this month on a project to widen State Road 64 to six lanes from just west of Carlton Arms Boulevard to west of Interstate 75.

The FDOT hosted an open house for the project Feb. 28, at RiverLife Church, so East County residents could see plans and speak with FDOT officials and contractors for details on how the project would affect daily life.

“I think it will have a positive impact (upon completion) due to the amount of traffic we have going east,” said Braden River Lakes resident Janette Lawson, whose primary concern centered on the intersection of 48th Street Court with S.R. 64.

Project improvements include milling and resurfacing the existing roadway and widening the outside to accommodate three 12-foot-wide travel lanes, a 5-foot bike lane and outside curb and gutter with drainage swales and a sidewalk in both directions.

“It’s a capacity job,” FDOT spokesperson Cindy Clemmons said. “It’s going to help alleviate traffic flow issues. We’re also doing some access management. We’re doing some changes (that are) generated by safety.”

The FDOT is working with Keep Manatee Beautiful and Turner Tree & Landscape to save about 30 trees. Twenty-five sabal palms will be relocated to the north side of the Palma Sola Causeway, while one crape myrtle will be moved to a median on S.R. 64 near its intersection with 67th Street West, and six bald cypress trees are being relocated to Jiggs Landing.

Keep Manatee Beautiful and local governments helped with the new landscape design. Officials said landscaping of medians has proven to be an important issue to residents.

Additionally, primary safety and traffic concerns have centered around changes to access at the intersection of 39th Street East and S.R. 64, which is open now, but will become a right-out only access onto S.R. 64. Residents will have to do a U-turn on S.R. 64 to head east or travel on Third Avenue to take another road south to S.R. 64 and head east without having to complete a U-turn.

Construction hours will be limited to help minimize impact to drivers during rush hours. No roadwork will be done between 6-9 a.m. and 3-7 p.m., and much of the work will be done at night, as well, FDOT officials said.
FDOT officials expect the project to be completed in about 450 days, or in May 2013.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].