Water main replacement will close lanes on North Tamiami Trail

Beginning Monday, Sept. 15, periodic lane closures along North Tamiami Trail will occur during a utility improvement project by the city of Sarasota to replace two sections of aging water main beneath the roadway.

Two-way traffic will be maintained throughout the duration of the first phase of the project, which is estimated to be completed in spring 2026.

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The inside southbound and inside northbound lanes of North Tamiami Trail between 14th and 22nd streets will be closed during the first phase of the project. Digital signage has been installed notifying motorists of lane closures prior to the beginning of construction.

“This utility improvement project is part of a continued effort by the city to modernize and strengthen our water utilities infrastructure,” said Utilities Engineering Manager Georges Nicolas in a news release. “While two lanes of North Tamiami Trail will need to be closed for the duration of the project, two-way traffic will be maintained. We appreciate the community’s patience during this significant infrastructure improvement.”

The project is the first of multi-phase utility improvement work between 14th Street and University Parkway. At $30 million, it will replace aging segments of water main. All seven phases of the project are estimated to be completed in early 2028.

Temporary traffic calming measures will be implemented on several side streets between North Tamiami Trail and Cocoanut Avenue during the first phase to address speeding on adjacent residential streets. 

Additional information on the North Tamiami Trail Water Main Replacement project can be found on the project website at cos-north-tamiami-trail-ac-wm-replacement.com.