RoadWatch Advisory
MANATEE COUNTY
I- 75 at SR 70 Ramp Changes and Travel Lane Shifts:
The Florida Department of Transportation is announcing changes to the ramps at I-75 Exit 217/SR 70 and SR 70 travel lane shifts.
I-75 Northbound Exit 217A: During the nighttime/overnight hours of 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., Wednesday, January 9, 2019, northbound I-75 Exit 217A will close, weather permitting. Motorists may use either Exit 220/SR 64 and re-enter onto I-75 southbound returning to Exit 217/SR 70 or exit and use local roads to reach SR 70; or, use Exit 213/University Parkway and use local roads to reach SR 70. The ramp will reopen at 5 a.m., Thursday, January 3, 2019 as Exit 217 for travelers wishing to travel SR 70 eastbound and westbound.
I-75 Northbound Exit 217B: On Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at 11 p.m., motorists are advised that I-75 northbound Exit 217 B/SR 70 westbound will be permanently closed. Starting 5 a.m., Thursday, January 10, 2019, all traffic wishing to exit at SR 70 will use Exit 217 to travel SR 70 eastbound and westbound.
SR 70 Eastbound Traffic Shift: On Friday, January 11, 2019, motorists are advised of travel lanes shifts on SR 70 eastbound. Eastbound travel lanes will be shifted to the north side of the roadway to allow for I-75 bridge demolition work. The shift will remain in place until Monday, January 7, 2019. Motorists are urged to use caution and pay close attention while driving throughout the project limits.
The project consists of reconstructing the existing I-75 at SR 70 interchange from its existing partial cloverleaf design to a modified diamond interchange design with a single loop in the northwest quadrant. Interchange improvements also will include replacement of entrance and exit ramps and will add emergency stopping sites on the exit ramps. I-75 will be widened from north of University Parkway to south of SR 64. Improvements along SR 70 include resurfacing from east of Tara Boulevard to west of 87th Street E, and providing 6.5-foot buffered bike lane, 5-foot sidewalks with high-emphasis crosswalks.
