Severe weather forecast leads to postponement of opening of 14th Street roundabout

Traffic shift delayed until night of April 30

This aerial view shows traffic using the 10th Street roundabout on April 17. Image courtesy City of Sarasota

Because of predictions for stormy weather, the planned opening of the 14th Street roundabout on U.S. 41 in Sarasota has been postponed until Thursday, April 30, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has announced.

With the roundabout work nearly completed at that intersection — and the 10th Street roundabout already having opened — City of Sarasota staff was advised last week that the traffic shift would occur overnight starting April 23.

Weather Underground reported early in the afternoon of April 23 that severe thunderstorms were in the forecast for the night of April 23. An accompanying map showed the prediction for severe weather at least as far south as Tampa.

The latest schedule, FDOT says, is for the travel lane shift at the intersection of U.S. 41 and 14th Street to start at 6 p.m. on April 30, with completion by 6 a.m. on May 1, a news release notes. “Eastbound and Westbound traffic at each roundabout will be detoured prior to 6 p.m.,” the release adds.

Traffic signals on US 41 at 14th Street will be removed, the release notes, and motorists will follow roundabout signage and driving conditions.

In his April 17 newsletter, City Manager Tom Barwin reported the opening of the 10th Street roundabout that morning. However, at that time, he noted only that the 14th Street roundabout would be opened later.