Heads up, Sarasota drivers: temporary lane closures on North Tamiami Trail, north of 14^th Street, began today, Monday, Sept. 15, as utilities crews begin work on a multi-year improvement project.

This multi-phase, $30 million project includes the replacement of segments of aging water mains to increase the safety and resiliency of the water distribution system for City of Sarasota water customers.

Phase One will stretch from 14^th Street to 22^nd Street. The inside lane of both north and southbound U.S. 41 will be temporarily closed, with two-way traffic maintained. Electronic message boards are posted in the area alerting drivers to the upcoming traffic pattern change.

Temporary traffic calming measures will be implemented on several side streets between the North Trail and Cocoanut Avenue to address possible speeding issues due to the lane closures on the Trail.

The full scope of the project  includes six additional phases with each phase replacing 60-year-old water mains under the North Trail and ending at University Parkway. 

This project also includes the decommissioning and abandonment of an aging, redundant AC force main along North Tamiami Trail from 17th Street to Lift Station No. 10, just northeast of the Whitaker Bayou Bridge; the abandonment of an aging 24-inch cast iron reclaimed line along North Tamiami Trail from 18th Street to Whitaker Bayou; horizontal directional drilling under Whitaker Bayou and bridge; and the replacement of 20 fire hydrants, new water service connections and new meter boxes/covers.

The project extends 2.3 miles and is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

Check out the project webpage for up-to-date information throughout its duration.