Nighttime Lane closures on Manatee Avenue Begin Feb. 13; Portion of 7th Street closed Feb. 14-16

MANATEE--Motorists should expect temporary nighttime lane closures on Manatee Avenue East/State Road 64 from 12th Street East to US 301 Sunday, February 13, through Friday, February 25.

These lane closures are necessary as paving crews will perform asphalt and resurfacing operations each night from 7:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. each morning. 

Also, the temporary closure of Seventh Street West north of Manatee-Fourth avenues west will begin at 7:00 p.m. Monday and last until 6:00 a.m. Wednesday. This is for the installation of a new water line across 7th Street West along the north side of Manatee Avenue. Business access will be available from Fourth Avenue West and Eighth Street West. 

This is part of a major Florida Department of Transportation project to improve Manatee Avenue between 12th Street East to 15th Street West. Improvements will vary as needed from milling and resurfacing to improved drainage, signalization, streetscape (landscaping and irrigation) and decorative lighting. This project has an anticipated completion date of fall 2011. 

Advance warning signs, electronic message boards, barricades and flaggers will be used to assist motorists.  While traveling through the work zone, motorists are urged to use caution, obey the posted speed limit of 35 mph, expect possible delays and seek alternate routes whenever possible. Under Florida state law, speeding fines are doubled in the work zone when workers are present.

Please be advised that inclement weather and other unforeseen circumstances may affect the construction schedule. Periodic lane closures will occur throughout the duration of this project.

For more information, please contact Maricelle Venegas, Public Information Specialist, at 941-306-8836 or Cindy Clemmons, FDOT Public Information Director, at 1-800-292-3368.