Roadwork underway on Cortez Road

Roadwork intended to improve safety and the flow of traffic on Cortez Road is underway.

The $162,000 Florida Department of Transportation project has begun at the intersection of Cortez Road and 119th Street and is expected to be completed by the end of the year, weather permitting. Lane closures can be expected in the area from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and driveway closures from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

“Please be alert for construction crews,” a news release from FDOT urges drivers.

The roadwork will include:

▪  Extending the existing median east of 119th Street West to 119th Street West.

▪  Eliminating the eastbound Cortez Road to northbound 119th Street West movement.

▪  Installing improved crosswalks on Cortez Road and 119th Street West.

▪  Modifying the traffic signal to a continual “green-phase” for eastbound Cortez Road at 119th Street West unless a pedestrian activates the signal to cross Cortez Road. The completion estimate will be weather permitting, according to the department.

In early 2019, final improvements are planned for the area including resurfacing Cortez Road from east of 123rd Street to west of 86th Street West, installing medians and adding bike lanes. Another project to realign the 119th Street West intersection is planned, but no start date has been given.

This story was originally published October 23, 2017 at 5:25 PM with the headline "Roadwork underway on Cortez Road."