Tourism

Two significant traffic shifts planned as of Nov. 27 in conjunction with construction of roundabout at U.S. 41 and Fruitville Road

Drivers urged to start planning for alternate routes

This graphic provides details about the planned roundabout. Image courtesy City of Sarasota and Florida Department of Transportation

Detours necessary for the construction of the roundabout at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Fruitville Road in downtown Sarasota “will begin very soon,” Sarasota City Manager Tom Barwin reported in his Nov. 8 newsletter. He added, “[W]e’re encouraging residents and visitors to plan ahead.”

Starting Wednesday, Nov. 27, Barwin wrote, “two notable, temporary traffic restrictions will occur:”

  • Southbound U.S. 41 traffic will not be able to turn left to head eastbound on Fruitville Road. “This will be in effect for most of the duration of the construction project,” Barwin added. “As a detour,” he suggested, drivers consider using 10th Street or Boulevard of the Arts.
  • Northbound U.S. 41 traffic will not be able to turn left to go westbound on Boulevard of the Arts. “U-turns will not be permitted,” Barwin emphasized. “This left turn lane is expected to be restored in late January 2020,” he noted.

“Electronic message boards will be in place very soon to provide advance notice to drivers,” Barwin pointed out. “We encourage you to plan ahead and begin formulating alternative routes.”

Traffic shifts will be necessary soon to accommodate the work at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Fruitville Road. Image courtesy City of Sarasota

Recently, he continued, the public may have noticed earthmovers working just to the west of U.S. 41 in the area of the planned roundabout. “Crews are creating a bypass,” he wrote, which will move U.S. 41 motorists away from the construction zone.

“Traffic will be maintained along U.S. 41 throughout the project,” Barwin pointed out. Moreover, he noted, the evacuation route from northbound U.S. 41 to eastbound Fruitville Road will remain open.

“For up-to-update information and an overview of the project, which will enhance driver and pedestrian safety, please visit www.us41fruitvilleroundabout.com,” Barwin added.