U.S. 41 roundabout at Gulfstream Avenue about to take shape

Material availability and labor woes have brought delays in the completion of the traffic-snarling roundabout at U.S. 41 and Gulfstream Avenue, but the project remains on pace to be open this fall as scheduled.

During a virtual project update last week, FDOT and contractor representatives fielded questions about dying sod, irrigation disruptions and pedestrian crosswalks related to the project, but the biggest news was that, within weeks, the shape of the roundabout will start to become apparent.

The diamond traffic pattern will remain in effect, though, until the multilane circle actually opens to traffic. Construction of the $8.6 million project began March 15, 2021.

The objective is to improve multimodal mobility along the U.S. 41 corridor; provide a safe, convenient and attractive crossing for pedestrians and bicyclists; and improve connectivity and circulation between the Sarasota’s downtown business district and the Bayfront.

"The contractor is spreading and will be compacting the roadway base,” said FDOT Project Engineer Pinky Pakalapati. “So what that means is you'll see trucks coming in and out, and also the compaction operation is going to be involved with the rollers.”

Asphalt paving was expected to start Sunday night and run through five consecutive nights, resulting in a new flow of traffic.

But on Sunday, Alice Ramos, a spokeswoman for FDOT, emailed stakeholders, saying that step would be delayed: "Due to material shortages, the scheduled paving operation and traffic switch on US 41 southbound between Fruitville Road and Gulfstream Avenue has been postponed. Work will be rescheduled when materials are available."

Areas around the project will experience a disruption in water service Thursday night; a water line is tied into a new valve being replaced near Ritz Carlton Drive. Affected buildings, primarily in the West End, either have or will receive notification by the city.

Water will be cut off at 11 p.m. for a possible duration of four to five hours.

“We'll try to get the water back on as soon as we can,” Pakalapati said. “This should be a quick operation as a simple valve replacement.”

The next scheduled virtual update for the project is at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 25.