Manatee County lays utilities groundwork for $83 million University Parkway project

MANATEE -- Manatee County commissioners Thursday OK'd an agreement to relocate utility facilities in preparation for construction of a new interchange at University Parkway and Interstate 75.

The commission approved an agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation, which will oversee construction of the $83 million diverging diamond interchange.

Manatee County will pay $300,000 for the design needed for relocating utilities, according to a memo written by Mickey Palmer, the Manatee County attorney.

Part of the relocation plans involve moving a 36-inch water line, he wrote.

FDOT has applied for and expects to receive about $3.5 million in federal grant money for construction expenses associated with the project, wrote Palmer in the memo dated Feb. 2.

FDOT officials have said they plan to expedite construction of the interchange in order to complete work before the 2017 World Rowing Championship at nearby Nathan Benderson Park, according to county documents.

County officials are concerned about traffic gridlock during the rowing event, which could attract thousands of spectators and athletes. The area is already experiencing traffic jams rafter the new Mall at University Town Center opened last year.

Construction on the new interchange is slated to begin this summer.

Sara Kennedy, Herald reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7031. Follow her on Twitter@sarawrites.

This story was originally published February 6, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Manatee County lays utilities groundwork for $83 million University Parkway project ."