Multi-lane roundabout at intersection of Fruitville Road and U.S. 41 in downtown Sarasota open for traffic

City manager urging drivers to ‘slow way down’ when approaching the structure

Image courtesy City of Sarasota

The multi-lane roundabout constructed at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Fruitville Road opened to traffic last week, Sarasota City Manager Tom Barwin reported in his Nov. 20 newsletter.

“The lanes and exits in the new roundabout are clearly marked and easy to follow,” Barwin noted. “Check out some views of this new traffic pattern on the City’s Facebook page.”

He also pointed out, “This is the third roundabout to open on US 41 this year in an effort to simultaneously improve traffic flow, driver and pedestrian safety and connectivity with the Bayfront. So far,” he continued, “drivers and pedestrians appear to be adapting well, with the single biggest issue being excessive speed.

“You need to slow down — way down, to 15 mph — when approaching a roundabout and yield — yield, yield, yield! — to traffic coming from the left before merging into your lane,” Barwin added with emphasis.

Further, he wrote, “Over the next few weeks, watch for work crews in the area who will be putting the finishing touches on landscaping and signage.”

Construction of the U.S. 41-Fruitvillle Road roundabout “was a unique public-private partnership” among the City of Sarasota, the Florida Department of Transportation and developers of the Quay Sarasota project, Barwin pointed out. “Wright Construction Group began construction in October 2019 and finished in 13 months while working through a pandemic and tropical storm,” he added.

“Congratulations to all involved with this significant infrastructure project, which already is improving traffic flow along the Bayfront and to/from the barrier islands,” Barwin concluded the newsletter report.

2 thoughts on “Multi-lane roundabout at intersection of Fruitville Road and U.S. 41 in downtown Sarasota open for traffic”

  1. Just wait until the snowbirds get back maybe not this year but wait until Covid19 is over and more people start coming back I’ve been living down here close to 40 years US41 will bottlenecked when they go thru all of 3 roundabouts you just wait and see.

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