Governor Rick Scott today directed the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to begin examining ways to help expedite evacuation routes from the I-75/ Florida Turnpike Interchange near Wildwood to the Florida-Georgia border during times of emergencies such as hurricanes. FDOT’s report will be submitted in January 2018.
Governor Scott said, “In preparation for Hurricane Irma, the state worked closely with local emergency management, transportation and law enforcement partners to successfully oversee the largest evacuation in U.S. history. Anytime a natural disaster threatens our state, we must do all we can to ensure Floridians can evacuate safely. That is why today, I am directing FDOT and their traffic experts to begin a comprehensive evaluation on ways to help expedite evacuation routes on I-75 from Wildwood to the Florida-Georgia border. This roadway is a major evacuation route, and it is crucial that residents and visitors can quickly and safely travel in this area during emergencies. We will continue to work with all our partners to make sure we are doing everything we can to ensure our state is fully prepared for all emergencies so we can keep our families and visitors safe.”
I-75
I-75 Will Remain Open
The Florida Department of Transportation today announced that I-75 will remain open, as flood waters have been receding on the Santa Fe River. As of this morning, FDOT engineers and state meteorologists do not believe that the Santa Fe River will reach a level to make the interstate unsafe.
On Wednesday, FDOT and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles announced that due to unprecedented flooding of the Santa Fe River, there was a potential for I-75 to close for motorist safety.
Because of high water levels of the Santa Fe River, US 41 and US 27 remain closed. Once these highways are safe, they will be reopened to motorists.
FDOT and the DHSMV will continue to keep Floridians and visitors updated on traffic conditions by constantly updating FL511.com.
FDOT and DHSMV Monitoring Santa Fe River at I-75 for Potential Impacts Due to Unprecedented Flooding
Upon receiving weather reports late today, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) announced that it is actively monitoring a small bridge on I-75 at mile marker 408 crossing the Santa Fe River on the northern border of Alachua County. The river is expected to crest at historic and unprecedented levels presenting a potential threat to the safety of travel on this bridge. The Santa Fe River under I-75 has rapidly risen 15 feet within the past 36 hours due to the heavy rainfall over North Florida from Hurricane Irma. An additional rise is expected within the coming days as water levels from upstream move southward down the river. The river level is currently safe at 55 feet. However, if the river were to rise to an unsafe level, the bridge would become impassable both northbound and southbound, and would be closed immediately.
At this time, I-75 remains safe and passable. Floridians that are traveling home should monitor this situation very closely and remain alert to local travel conditions. The Florida Department of Transportation is actively working with WAZE, Google Maps, the Georgia Department of Transportation and other transportation industry partners to communicate the potential reroutes to the public. Floridians should consult www.FL511.com for up-to-date information on road closures and travel routes.
Hydrologists from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) will be conducting an on-site assessment of river conditions tomorrow morning. An update on the conditions will be provided following this assessment. FDOT bridge inspectors are monitoring this structure 24 hours a day to ensure driver safety.
If the Santa Fe River rises to an unsafe level, it will require the full closure of I-75 south of I-10 and north of U.S. 441 in Alachua. Travelers should be prepared for significant delays from tomorrow evening through Saturday. This unprecedented river flooding will also cause closures and extensive rerouting of traffic on U.S. 27, U.S. 41, S.R. 47 and possibly U.S. 121. These routes would not be considered passable.
In the event of road flooding on I-75 at the Santa Fe River, FDOT will reroute traffic to U.S. 19, U.S. 301 and I-95. Any Floridian planning on traveling to Central or Southern Florida should consider traveling southbound on I-95.
To plan for the possibility of bridge damage, FDOT will be issuing an emergency procurement to ensure a team of engineers will be on scene to immediately make any needed repairs once the water recedes.
We will keep the public and media informed of any developments. Safety is always our top priority and additional updates will be released as soon as available.
I-75 Northbound Off-Ramp and I-75 Northbound On-Ramp at I-75/University Parkway Interchange CLOSED
SARASOTA/MANATEE
I-75 (SR 93) / University Parkway Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) (Sarasota/Bradenton): Construction Project:
Detour – I-75 Northbound Off-Ramp and Northbound On-Ramp CLOSED Sunday, April 23. Details Below:
As part of the northbound I-75 traffic shift to the newly constructed northbound bridge, anticipated to take place Sunday, April 23 at the I-75/University Parkway interchange, the I-75 northbound off-ramp and the I-75 northbound on-ramp are closed at night/overnight, Sunday, April 23 from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Motorists traveling north on I-75 wishing to exit at University Parkway are directed to continue north on I-75, exit at SR 70 westbound, enter southbound I-75 and exit at University Parkway/Exit 213.
Motorists traveling on University Parkway wishing to travel north on I-75 are directed to enter southbound I-75, exit at Fruitville Road/Exit 210, travel east and enter northbound I-75 and continue north on I-75.
Improvements being made as part of this project consist of constructing a diverging diamond interchange, adding an auxiliary lane on northbound and southbound I-75, constructing new bridges on I-75 over University Parkway, widening of University Parkway, widening of I-75 bridges over Errie Creek and Foley Creek, realignment of on-ramps and off-ramps at I-75/University Parkway, addition of ponds, drainage improvements, new lighting and signalization, construction of a noise wall on the west side of I-75, sidewalks, bike lanes, and pedestrian walkways. Expected completion is fall 2017. The contractor is Prince Contracting, LLC. For additional information, please visit the project website at http://www.swflroads.com/i75/university/
RoadWatch Advisory: I-75 SB On-Ramp & NB Off-Ramp CLOSED Wednesday, April 5 at University Parkway Interchange
SARASOTA/MANATEE
I-75 (SR 93) / University Parkway Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) Sarasota/Bradenton: Construction Project:
Detour – I-75 Southbound On-Ramp Closed at the I-75/University Parkway Interchange:
Wednesday, April 5. Details below:
The contractor anticipates implementing a temporary detour route at the I-75/University Parkway interchange at night/overnight Wednesday, April 5 between 11 p.m. and 12 midnight to prepare for a traffic shift.
Motorists traveling on University Parkway wishing to travel south on I-75 are directed to enter northbound I-75, exit at westbound SR 70/Exit 217 B, enter southbound I-75 and continue south on I-75. Motorists may also use local roads and enter I-75 from Fruitville Road.
Detour – I-75 Northbound Off-Ramp CLOSED at the I-75/University Parkway Interchange:
Wednesday, April 5. Details below:
The contractor anticipates implementing a temporary detour route at the I-75/University Parkway interchange at night/overnight Wednesday, April 5 between 12 midnight and 5 a.m. to replace the attenuator.
Motorists traveling north on I-75 wishing to exit at University Parkway, Exit 213 are directed to continue north on I-75, exit at westbound SR 70/Exit 217 B, enter southbound I-75, and exit at University Parkway/Exit 213.
Improvements being made as part of this project consist of constructing a diverging diamond interchange, adding an auxiliary lane on northbound and southbound I-75, constructing new bridges on I-75 over University Parkway, widening of University Parkway, widening of I-75 bridges over Errie Creek and Foley Creek, realignment of on-ramps and off-ramps at I-75/University Parkway, addition of ponds, drainage improvements, new lighting and signalization, construction of a noise wall on the west side of I-75, sidewalks, bike lanes, and pedestrian walkways. Expected completion is fall 2017. The contractor is Prince Contracting, LLC. For additional information, please visit the project website at http://www.swflroads.com/i75/university/.
RoadWatch Advisory for I-75 in Charlotte/Sarasota Counties
CHARLOTTE COUNTY
I-75 from south of Harborview Road (mile marker 167) to Sumter Boulevard (mile marker 182): Construction project: This project widens the road from four to six lanes and adds a 12-foot travel lane and 10-foot shoulder to the inside of existing northbound and southbound I-75.
- Motorists should expect lane closures on I-75 during nighttime/overnight hours from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through the duration of the construction.
- Motorists should also expect periodic travel lane shifts through the duration of construction.
- Motorists should expect the inside northbound lane on the bridge over the Peace River closed through the duration of the project.
- Toledo Blade Boulevard will be reduced to one lane during nighttime/overnight hours from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Monday, February 20 and will continue for three weeks.
- I-75 northbound off ramp to Toledo Blade Boulevard will be closed during nighttime/overnight from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Tuesday, February 21 and Wednesday, February 22.
Variable message signs will be in place to alert drivers that work is underway. Drivers should use caution while traveling in this area. Estimated completion is end of 2017. The contractor is Astaldi Construction Corporation.
Detour planned for C.R. 470 at I-75 in Sumterville
County Road (C.R.) 470 underneath the Interstate 75 (I-75) overpass bridge will be closed for two nights. From 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15 and Thursday, Feb. 16, a detour will be in effect. The route will be as follows:
- Northbound I-75 traffic headed to westbound C.R. 470 will be directed to exit at State Road (S.R.) 44 (Exit 329) and access C.R. 470 via I-75 south. Northbound I-75 traffic traveling to eastbound C.R. 470 will not be impacted.
- Southbound I-75 traffic headed to eastbound C.R. 470 will be directed to exit at S.R. 48 (Exit 314) and access C.R. 470 via I-75 north. Southbound I-75 traffic traveling to westbound C.R. 470 will not be impacted.
- Eastbound C.R. 470 traffic headed to I-75 north will be directed to travel I-75 south to S.R. 48 (Exit 314), and re-enter the interstate using the northbound entrance ramp. Eastbound C.R. 470 traffic continuing on C.R. 470 will follow the same detour and exit northbound I-75 at C.R. 470. Eastbound C.R. 470 traffic traveling to southbound I-75 will not be impacted.
- Westbound C.R. 470 traffic headed to I-75 south will be directed to travel I-75 north to S.R. 44 (Exit 329), and re-enter the interstate using the southbound entrance ramp. Westbound C.R. 470 traffic continuing on C.R. 470 will follow the same detour and exit southbound I-75 at C.R. 470. Westbound C.R. 470 traffic traveling to northbound I-75 will not be impacted.
- Northbound C.R. 475 traffic headed to westbound C.R. 470 will be directed to travel north on I-75 to S.R. 44 (Exit 329), re-enter the interstate using the southbound entrance ramp, and exit at C.R. 470, bypassing the road closure. Southbound C.R. 475 traffic and northbound C.R. 475 traffic traveling to eastbound C.R. 470 will not be impacted.
In addition to closing a portion of C.R. 470, the southbound off ramp at Exit 321 will be closed for a duration of 10 to 15 minutes on both Wednesday and Thursday nights. The closure is required for the contractor, D.A.B. Constructors Inc., to set beams for the new C.R. 470 bridge. The work is part of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) I-75 widening project from C.R. 470 to just south of Florida’s Turnpike.
Please note that this schedule may change due to weather or other unexpected conditions. Project updates will be posted to FDOT’s Central Florida website, www.cflroads.com.
For media-related questions, please contact the Public Information Office at 386-943-5473 or [email protected].
To ensure your safety and the safety of others, please exercise extra caution when driving through construction work zones.
RoadWatch Advisory: University Parkway CLOSED Friday Night, February 3 at I-75/University Parkway
SARASOTA/MANATEE
I-75 (SR 93) / University Parkway Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) Sarasota/Bradenton: Construction Project:
Detour – University Parkway CLOSED under I-75 at the I-75/University Parkway Interchange:
Friday, February 3. Details below:
The contractor anticipates implementing a temporary detour route at the I-75/University Parkway interchange at night/overnight Friday, February 3 between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. while crews continue construction of the northbound bridge over University Parkway. All ramps will remain open.
Motorists traveling west on University Parkway (east of I-75) wishing to travel west through the interchange are directed to travel north on I-75, exit at westbound SR 70/Exit 217B, enter southbound I-75, and exit at University Parkway/Exit 213.
Motorists traveling east on University Parkway (west of I-75) wishing to travel east through the interchange are directed to travel south on I-75, exit at Fruitville Road/Exit 210, enter northbound I-75, and exit at University Parkway/Exit 213.
Motorists traveling south on I-75 wishing to travel east on University Parkway are directed to exit at Fruitville Road/Exit 210 (south of the closure), enter northbound I-75, and exit at University Parkway/Exit 213.
Motorists traveling north on I-75 wishing to travel west on University Parkway are directed to exit at westbound SR 70/Exit 217B (north of the closure), enter southbound I-75, and exit at University Parkway/Exit 213.
Improvements being made as part of this project consist of constructing a diverging diamond interchange, adding an auxiliary lane on northbound and southbound I-75, constructing new bridges on I-75 over University Parkway, widening of University Parkway, widening of I-75 bridges over Errie Creek and Foley Creek, realignment of on-ramps and off-ramps at I-75/University Parkway, addition of ponds, drainage improvements, new lighting and signalization, construction of a noise wall on the west side of I-75, sidewalks, bike lanes, and pedestrian walkways. Expected completion is fall 2017. The contractor is Prince Contracting, LLC. For additional information, please visit the project website at http://www.swflroads.com/i75/university/.
Public information meetings for I-75/Bee Ridge Road Interchange Improvement project in Sarasota County
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District One, will hold public information meetings for Interstate 75 (I-75) from south of Bee Ridge Road to south of Fruitville Road.
Meetings will be held on:
Date: Thursday, February 9, 2017
Time: 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: Realtor Association of Sarasota & Manatee
2320 Cattlemen Road
Sarasota, Florida 34232
The meetings will be an open house format and will include a brief video presentation that will run continuously throughout the meeting. No formal presentation will be held. FDOT representatives will be available to answer individual questions and receive written comments.
FDOT is preparing design plans for future widening of approximately 3.8 miles of I-75 and reconstruction of the I-75/Bee Ridge Road interchange. FDOT will rebuild the interchange from the existing diamond design to a hybrid diverging diamond interchange (DDI) and southbound off-ramp to Cattlemen Road. The Department will also rebuild the Bee Ridge Road at Cattlemen Road intersection to a continuous flow intersection (CFI). These informational meetings are to present to the public and officials the final design plans for the project. Project documents and other information are available on the project website.
Persons wishing to submit written statements may do so at the meeting or send them to: Richard E. Lilyquist, FDOT Project Manager, 801 N. Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL 33830 or by email at [email protected]. All statements postmarked on or before February 19, 2017 will become a part of the public information meeting record.
FDOT solicits public participation without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Jamie Schley at 863-519-2573 or by e-mail to [email protected] at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (voice).
If you have questions about the project or scheduled public information meetings, please contact the Project Manager, Richard E. Lilyquist, at (863) 519-2224, or by email at [email protected]. You may also visit the project website at: http://www.swflroads.com/i75/beeridgerdtofruitvillerd/.
FDOT hosts meeting to discuss turn lanes at I-75 interchange
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will have a public meeting to talk about adding turn lanes along State Road 200 (SW College Road) in the Interstate 75 (I-75) interchange area, from SW 38th Court to SW 36th Avenue in Marion County, 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, at the Hilton Ocala, located at 3600 SW 36th Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34474
These improvements will take place within existing right-of-way, so no additional right-of-way is needed. Construction is funded for this project for Fiscal Year 2018.
The meeting will be an open house format. Project information will be available for review and a project presentation will run on a continuous loop. FDOT representatives will be available to discuss the project, answer questions, and receive comments.
Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. Persons with disabilities who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Laura Turner, AICP, Project Public Involvement Coordinator, by phone at 407-620-5095 or by email at [email protected] at least seven days prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact FDOT by using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice).
Media questions should be directed to the public information office, Jennifer Horton, 386-943-5497, [email protected].
