Manatee commission approves work in advance of new I-75 interchange at University Parkway

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

The commission approved an agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation, which will be overseeing construction of the $83 million "Diverging Diamond" interchange.

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

Construction is slated to begin next summer, FDOT officials have said.

The cost of utility relocation, which will be paid by FDOT, is estimated at $3.5 million, county documents said.

Also in the vicinity is the new Mall at University Town Center, which opened last year.

County officials have said they were concerned about traffic gridlock along the busy University Parkway corridor.

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

This story was originally published February 5, 2015 at 11:37 AM with the headline "Manatee commission approves work in advance of new I-75 interchange at University Parkway."