Residents say $74.5M I-75/University Parkway project should cut noise, traffic

UNIVERSITY PARK -- Once construction on the Interstate 75/University Parkway Diverging Diamond Interchange project begins, Caryl Magnus knows she will have to plan accordingly to get to her doctor appointments on the east side of the interstate.

Despite additional planning, The Meadows resident said she is not concerned about the project, which will be the first of its kind in Florida.

"I want to see some of the traffic alleviated," Magnus said at a public meeting Thursday. "For me, I don't find traffic that terrible except during season."

Riva Trace resident Victoria Urban said she has concerns about the $74.5 million project. Construction is scheduled to begin Aug. 3 and is expected to be completed in fall 2017 in time for the 2017 World Rowing Championship at Nathan Benderson Park, Sept. 24-Oct.1.

"We are concerned about sound barriers," Urban said, adding they already hear noise from I-75.

A public meeting on the project was held Thursday at Keiser University, 6151 Lake Osprey Drive, Sarasota, by Florida Department of Transportation. Project staff members answered questions and showed a video on project design.

"It's going to increase traffic capacity," Robin Stublen, FDOT spokesman, said of the diverging diamond interchange. "It's also a safer type of design."

During construction, there will be temporary lane closures and traffic shifts on I-75 and University Parkway but access to businesses will be maintained at all time, according to project materials.

In addition to the diverging diamond interchange, other improvements include:

Adding an auxiliary lane on northbound and southbound I-75;

Constructing new bridges on I-75 over University Parkway;

Widening University Parkway and I-75 bridges over Erie Creek and Foley Creek;

Realigning on-ramps and off-ramps at I-75/University Parkway;

Adding ponds and drainage improvements;

New lighting and signals;

Constructing a noise wall on the west side of I-75 and;

Adding sidewalks, bike lanes and pedestrian walkways.

Margaret Failla, who lives in The Meadows, said she thinks the project will help with congestion.

"I want to see how it is laid out," Failla said of why she came to the meeting.

Sarasota resident David Eller said the project is happening so they don't have much say now.

"There is never an ideal time to do it," he said. "I'm going to be happy when it's done."

Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh, who represents Lakewood Ranch and East Manatee County, said she wouldn't have missed Thursday's meeting.

"I'm very excited," she said. "It is refreshing to see a lot of hard work by a lot of people come to fruition. ... It puts us a step above. It's the first one in Florida."

Claire Aronson, Manatee County reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7024 or at caronson@bradenton.com. Follow her on Twitter @Claire_Aronson.

This story was originally published July 23, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Residents say $74.5M I-75/University Parkway project should cut noise, traffic."