Road work continues in the new year

Construction crews continue to work on the roads in Manatee County, the Florida Department of Transportation said in its latest press release.

Here is the road work to watch out for. Drivers should wear seat belts and drive with caution, courtesy, common sense and patience as they travel through work zones. Also, speeding fines are doubled in work zones.

• I-275: Over the CSX railroad crossing and Frog Creek: Bridge maintenance project -- The right and left southbound lanes will be closed intermittently on Wednesday, Jan. 6, and Thursday, Jan. 7, from 8 p.m. each night until 5 a.m. the next morning for bridge maintenance.
• I-275: Southbound Ramp to southbound I-75: Bridge maintenance project -- The right lane of the southbound I-275 ramp to southbound I-75 will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for bridge maintenance.
• I-275: Over the CSX railroad crossing and U.S. 19: Bridge maintenance project -- The right and left northbound lanes will be closed intermittently beginning Monday, Jan. 4, through Wednesday, Jan. 6, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. each morning for bridge maintenance.
• I-75: At S.R. 70 (Exit 217): Construction project -- This project consists of adding new lanes onto the southbound exit ramp and provide two right turn lanes onto westbound S.R. 70, providing a new signalized intersection. Other improvements to the interchange include milling and resurfacing, installing new mast arm signal poles and storm sewer lines. Work is scheduled to occur Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists are advised to use caution while in the area and to expect possible delays. The contractor is APAC-Southeast Inc.
• I-75: At the U.S. 301 Interchange (Exit #224): Construction project -- This project consists of widening the northbound I-75 exit ramp, constructing one additional left turn lane onto U.S. 301, widening the west approach on U.S. 301 to provide dual left turn lanes onto the southbound I-75 entrance ramp, widening the southbound entrance ramp to receive the dual left turn lanes and merging right turn lane, widening U.S. 301 on the east approach of 51st Avenue and 60th Avenue East to add one new thru lane and right turn lane. Other improvements to the interchange include milling and resurfacing, installing new mast arm signal poles and storm sewer lines. Motorists are advised to use caution while in the area and to expect possible delays. The contractor is APAC-Southeast Inc.
• I-75: From north of University Parkway to south of Curiosity Creek: Construction project -- This project consists of installing 18.4 miles of cable barrier along the I-75 median from north of University Parkway to south of Curiosity Creek. Other improvements include guardrail upgrades at the bridge abutments. No lane closures are anticipated as part of this project. Work is scheduled to take place Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists are advised to use caution while in the area and to expect possible delays. The contractor is Highway Safety Devices.
• U.S. 301/S.R. 43: North of 71st Street East to north of 77th Street in Parrish: Construction project -- This project consists of milling, resurfacing, signing and pavement marking improvements. Construction work on S.R. 62 may delay traffic traveling on U.S. 301 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. through January. Motorists are advised to expect possible delays and use caution while in the area. The contractor is Superior Asphalt Inc.
• U.S. 301/S.R. 43: From Old Tampa Road/Erie Road to Rutland Road/C.R. 675 (Segment B): Construction project -- This project includes widening the roadway from two to four lanes. Work also includes the installation of new drainage, sidewalk, lighting, signals and utilities. The contractor will be installing storm drainage, wastewater and potable water mains along U.S. 301 this week. Motorists should expect minor interruptions in traffic between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily for equipment crossings or temporary lane closures. Palm Boulevard will be closed to traffic beginning on Jan. 5 and will remain closed for approximately one month. Access to The Gardens is available by Tiger Lilly Drive. Continuous roadway closures include 98th Avenue East on the north side of U.S. 301. Use 97th Avenue to access 98th Ave. East. In addition, 100th Drive East remains closed on the north side of U.S. 301. Access will be available by way of Harrison Ranch Boulevard. Chin Road also remains closed from south of U.S. 301 to the Publix Entrance north of Walden Loop. Detour routes are Old Tampa Road and Fort Hamer Road, and will be signed accordingly. It is estimated that Chin Road will remain closed for approximately one more month. The contractor is Woodruff and Sons Inc.
• U.S. 41 and 30th Avenue West: Maintenance permit project -- There will be intermittent southbound outside lane closures through Friday, Jan. 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. while crews construct a driveway connection. Motorists are advised to use caution and expect delays.
• U.S. 41: At 17th Street in Palmetto: Maintenance permit project -- The northbound outside lane of U.S. 41 from the U.S. 301 overpass to 21st Street will be closed through Friday, Jan. 8, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. while a contractor works on improvements at the intersection. Motorists should use caution and expect delays.
• S.R. 789/Gulf Drive: From Fifth Street South to Cortez Road in the city of Bradenton Beach: Construction project -- This project consists of sidewalk and landscaping on Gulf Drive. There are no planned lane closures, but motorists are advised to expect daytime delays and use caution while in the area. Project completion is scheduled for February 2010. The contractor is McLeod Land Services Inc.
• S.R. 70: From west of Myakka-Wauchula Road to east of Sugarbowl Road: Construction project -- Improvements under this contract consist of milling and resurfacing the roadway, shoulder treatment, drainage improvements, guardrail, signing and pavement markings, and signalization improvements. Project begins Jan. 4 with lane closures controlled by flagging operations. The contractor is APAC Southeast Inc. Motorists are advised to use caution while in the area and expect possible delays.
• S.R. 64: From west of County Road 675 to Wingate Road: Construction project -- Improvements under this contract consist of milling and resurfacing the roadway, base work shoulder treatment, drainage improvements, guardrail, signing and pavement markings. Project begins Jan. 11. Anticipate daytime lane closures with one-lane, two-way traffic with flaggers. Motorists are advised to use caution while in the area and expect possible delays.
• S.R. 64: From east of Lena Road to east of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard: Construction project -- This project consists of new roadway construction, milling, resurfacing, widening, drainage improvements, lighting, landscaping, signalization, signing and pavement markings. For the week of Jan. 1 through Jan. 8, traffic will continue to utilize the current S.R. 64 travel lanes. Motorists should be aware of construction traffic, lane shifting and scheduled night work, and use caution while in the area. The contractor is Russell Engineering Inc.
• S.R. 64: West from 39th Street to Palma Sola Boulevard: Construction project -- This project consists of milling, resurfacing, turn lane extensions at 67th Street West, drainage improvements, curb and gutter, signalization, signing and pavement markings. Crews will be removing existing strain poles and span wire throughout the project limits. Nighttime lane closures may be in place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as needed. Motorists are advised to use caution while in the area and expect possible delays. The Contractor is Superior Asphalt Inc.
• S.R. 64: East of Zipperer Road: Maintenance permit project -- There will be a lane closure controlled by a flagging operation through Friday, Jan. 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. while crews construct a driveway connection. Motorists are advised to use caution and expect delays.
• S.R. 64: West of Bear Bay Road: Maintenance permit project -- There will be a lane closure flagging operation through Friday, Jan. 8. The contractor will be constructing, widening the roadway, adding a left turn lane and install a driveway connection. Motorists are advised to use caution and expect delays.
• S.R. 64: At the King Fish Boat Ramp: Maintenance permit project -- There will an intermittent westbound outside lane closure through Friday, Jan. 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. while a contractor constructs a driveway connection. Motorists are advised to use caution and expect delays.
• S.R. 62 and U.S. 301: From U.S. 301 to east of S.R. 37 in Parrish: Construction project -- This project consists of milling, resurfacing, drainage improvements, construction of new shoulders, pavement, driveway rehabilitation, guardrail, and signing and pavement marking improvements. Motorists can expect temporary daily lanes closures Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. through January. Motorists are advised to use caution and expect delays during this period. The contractor is Superior Asphalt Inc.
• Gulf Drive: From Willow Avenue to Pine Avenue in the city of Anna Maria: Construction project -- This project consists of milling and resurfacing, signing and pavement markings, and sidewalk on Gulf Drive. Motorists are advised to expect daytime delays and use caution while in the area. The Contractor is Superior Asphalt Inc.
• Pine Avenue: From Gulf Drive to Bay Drive in the city of Anna Maria: Construction project -- This project consists of milling and resurfacing, signing and pavement markings, and sidewalk work on Pine Avenue. Motorists are advised to expect daytime delays and use caution while in the area. The contractor is Superior Asphalt Inc.