Contractor able to complete project faster than anticipated
The roundabout at Ringling Boulevard and Pine Place has been substantially completed and has opened for vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians, the City of Sarasota announced on Feb. 3.
“This is a new roundabout installed to replace a traditional signalized intersection,” a news release explains.
“The contracted construction crew worked diligently to complete the project and were able to finish all required work earlier than the revised spring 2025 deadline,” the release adds. However, it cautions, “Temporary traffic flow interruptions may occur while striping and signage work is finalized.”
Among the renovated and enhanced elements of the Ringling Boulevard and Pine Place roundabout are the following, the release says:
- Landscaping in the center island and at the four adjacent corners
- Irrigation.
- Drainage and utility adjustments.
- New and replacement light poles.
- Paver brick crosswalks at the four legs of the roundabout, on a truck apron, and on island approaches.
- In-road warning lights controlled by automatic activation bollards at the crosswalks.
- A new Sarasota County Breeze Transit bus stop and shelter.
- Striping and markings to match the bicycle and pedestrian enhancements to the Ringling Trail.
Construction on the roundabout began May 4, 2024, the release notes. “The finished project marks the completion of a string of roundabouts along Ringling Boulevard,” the release adds. The others are at the intersections with Palm Avenue, Pineapple Avenue and Orange Avenue, the release adds.
“Roundabouts like the one installed at Ringling Boulevard and Pine Place offer several important advantages over traditional signalized intersections,” the release points out. “The placement helps improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety and is poised to reduce vehicle crash fatalities by more than 90% and injuries by 76%, per the Federal Highway Administration.”
For information on roundabout navigation, city staff directs the public to a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) tutorial found here.