Five major road projects that aim to address traffic woes in Manatee County are reaching new milestones in 2025, including major projects on Moccasin Wallow and Lena roads.
County crews are nearing completion of the first segments of an ongoing widening project for Moccasin Wallow Road, preparing to extend Lena Road northward, will begin a project to widen 75th Street, recently began widening Upper Manatee River Road, and will prepare for the future widening of Fort Hamer Road.
From the archive: DeSantis approves state funding for the widening of Fort Hamer Road, Moccasin Wallow Road
Crews make big progress on Moccasin Wallow Road expansion
A project to widen miles of Moccasin Wallow Road is nearing new milestones as 2024 comes to a close.
A project to widen four segments of Moccasin Wallow Road from two to four lanes continues to move forward. The first segment, which spans from U.S. 301 to 115th Avenue East, broke ground in January 2023 and is scheduled for completion before the end of the year. It includes a 12-foot multiuse path, a 6-foot sidewalk and 7-foot-wide bicycle lanes in each direction.
Crews break ground on the project’s second segment this month and expect to complete its construction by mid-2026. The 1.6-mile segment spans from 115th Avenue East to Bay Winds Parkway. All segments are designed with similar features to the first segment of the project, including four lanes and pedestrian improvements.
Track the project: Moccasin Wallow Road updates
Construction of the third segment of the project, a 1.8-mile stretch between Bayside Community Church and Buffalo Road, is expected to begin in 2025 and be completed in early 2027.
The project’s fourth segment, a 1.9-mile stretch between Gillette Drive and U.S. 41, is nearing completion. Paving operations started on Dec. 16, and completion is expected before the end of the year.
Lena Road extension to break ground in 2025
Manatee County broke ground on a project to rebuild and widen Upper Manatee River Road in October.
Track the project: Lena Road extension
A construction project to extend Lena Road from S.R. 70 to S.R. 64 will break ground in early January. The roadway will feature two lanes, pedestrian improvements, and a roundabout at 44th Avenue E and Musgrave Ranch Road. S.R. 64 and 54th Drive East will also be modified to accommodate the new roadway. It is estimated to cost about $31.87 million to complete.
75th Street widening breaks ground
Crews will begin roadway construction on a project to widen 75th Street from 2 to 4 lanes in January.
Track the project: https://75th-street-project-manateegis.hub.arcgis.com/
Crews will begin roadway construction on a project to widen 75th Street from two to four lanes between 20th Avenue and Manatee Avenue in January. The roadway will include a center turn lane or a median, upgrades to pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and additional lighting in the area.
Upper Manatee River Road widening breaks ground
A construction project to extend Lena Road from S.R. 70 to S.R. 64 will break ground in early January.
Track the project: Upper Manatee River Road
Manatee County broke ground on a project to rebuild and widen Upper Manatee River Road between S.R. 64 to Fort Hamer Bridge in October. The project will widen the roadway from two to four lanes. Records show that traffic from existing and future development is expected to exceed the road’s capacity. The project is expected to cost about $25.7 million and is scheduled for completion in 2028.
Fort Hamer Road on deck for widening
Manatee County is nearing completion for a Development and Environment Study for an expansion project on Fort Hamer Road.
Track the project: Fort Hamer Road
Manatee County hosted a public hearing in December for a project that will expand Fort Hamer Road from two to four lanes between Upper Manatee River Road and U.S. 301. The project spans 3.8 miles and could include a shared-use path to enhance bicycle and pedestrian mobility. The county is currently conducting a project development and environment study that should be completed by June 2025.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Five road construction projects to know in Manatee County in 2025
