Brush Fire On I-75N, Roads Closed On 14th St. W.: Suncoast Traffic

SARASOTA-BRADENTON, FL — Good morning, Patch readers in the Sarasota and Bradenton areas!

Before you start your day, check out the latest Patch traffic report for the region.

Here are the latest traffic updates that could affect your morning commute on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022.

Use the Waze map to zoom in on your commute for real-time traffic updates. Scroll down past the map for major incidents and closures in your area.

On the Road

As of 8:24 a.m., no roads are blocked following a hit-and-run crash on 26th Street W. at Cortez Road W., according to the Florida Highway Patrol’s Live Traffic Crash and Road Condition Report. (Bradenton)

As of 8:25 a.m., there’s a brush fire on I-75 N at mile marker 218, just north of State Road 70, FHP said. Drivers are asked to use caution because of smoke in the area. (Bradenton)

As of 8:26 a.m., following a vehicle crash, the eastbound right lane is blocked on Bee Ridge Road at I-75, according to FHP. (Sarasota)

As of 8:28 a.m., following a vehicle crash with injuries, roads are closed at the intersection of 14th Street W. at Cortez Road W., FHP said. (Bradenton)

As of 8:37 a.m., no roads are blocked following a vehicle crash at 42nd Street and Hauri Road, FHP said. (Sarasota)

Ongoing Construction

Construction in DeSoto County is slowing traffic in Arcadia. The eastbound right lane of State Road 70 is blocked from N. Lee Avenue to N. Manatee Avenue, FHP said. (Arcadia)

A roundabout is under construction at the Shoppes at UTC. It will add an additional eastbound turn lane from Cooper Creek Boulevard onto University Parkway, according to Observer Media Group. It will also replace the traffic light just north of that intersection with a roundabout. During construction, which should end Nov. 4, those leaving the Shoppes at Tourist Center Drive will be unable to make a left turn or cross the roadway. (Sarasota)

In a tweet, the city of Sarasota asked drivers to be mindful of signage and pavement striping on Ringling Boulevard as the Ringling Trail remains under construction. Phase I from U.S. 301 to Lime Avenue is wrapping up and a protected bike lane connection to the Legacy Trail will open by the end of September. (Sarasota)

Packinghouse Road at Cattlemen Road to 600 feet south remains closed during Phase II of a roadway improvement project that includes the installation of the road base, concrete curb and gutter, and asphalt pavement, according to Sarasota County documents. At the intersection of Packinghouse Road and Palmer Boulevard from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the traffic signals will be in cautionary flashing mode while flaggers direct traffic through the intersection for drainage and water main work as needed. (Sarasota County)

A reconfiguration of I-75 at the U.S. 301 interchange and a widening of I-75 from State Road 64 to Manatee River is impacting traffic in the area, according to the Manatee County website. This week, crews will work on embankment and widening on I-75, and pile driving for the construction of the new southbound on-ramp bridge over the Manatee River and Salt Marsh Bridge. During the morning commute, motorists should expect lane closures on U.S. 301 through the duration of the construction. Drivers should also expect lane shifts on I-75 and US 301 through the duration of the construction. (Ellenton)

On U.S. 41 between Palm View Road to north of Lakeside Boulevard, drivers can expect alternating north and southbound lane closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. while crews construct a median opening, right turn lane, driveway access, drainage structures and a sidewalk for an RV park, the county said. (Manatee County)

On U.S. 301 from 60th Avenue East to Erie Road/Old Tampa Road, crews are preparing for two drilled shaft installations and drivers can expect construction vehicles in and out of the right-of-way limits and temporary lane closures, the county said. Right turn lanes at the intersection of Erie Road and Old Tampa Road may be closed. (Ellenton)

At U.S. 301 and Fort Hamer Road, county crews are installing a sewer main and constructing a right turn lane. Motorists can expect lane closures on the north side of U.S. 301 and the outside westbound lane on U.S. 301 and Fort Hamer Road, the county said. (Parrish)

On State Road 70 from Curtis Road to Countyline Road, crews will begin work on resurfacing the nearly 2-mile stretch of roadway. Crews will be shifting into 24-hour work plans with single-lane traffic. Use caution in the construction zone and expect flagging operations, the county said. (Myakka City)

There will be an outside westbound lane closure on State Road 64 from Cypress Wind Boulevard to Cordova Drive through September. Florida Power & Light will be replacing and installing new poles, the county said. (Manatee County)

Sarasota, Bradenton Weather

It’s cloudy in Sarasota as of 8:30 a.m., on Friday, according to the AccuWeather forecast for the area. The temperature is currently 75 degrees with a high of 82 and a low of 72 expected. Today’s forecast calls for drenching afternoon thunderstorms and an evening thunderstorm, as well.

As of 8:30 a.m., it’s also cloudy in Bradenton, according to AccuWeather. The temperature is 74 degrees with a high of 82 and a low of 73 expected. Today’s forecast says to expect heavy afternoon thunderstorms and an evening thunderstorm.