Update: SCAT Detour: Bee Ridge Bus Lines to go thru Mauna Loa

Due to the road construction on Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) bus system is working on a temporary detour that would bring Bee Ridge route buses through Mauna Loa Blvd. to Middlesex. From the County Coordinator:

The map shows the proposed detour onto Mauna Loa Boulevard with the dark blue circles being temporary bus stops. The green circles are existing SCAT bus stops that will continue to be served. Those three stops are the busiest stops we have for the Bee Ridge route so the detour has been set up to continue service to those locations.

Click on image to enlarge:

Proposed temporary bus detour via Mauna Loa Blvd.
 and locations of future Bee Ridge Bus Stops

We expect that all the bus stops currently on Bee Ridge Road are going to be removed by the road construction contractor in the next couple of weeks. (You can also see on the map the new stops and shelters that will be built along Bee Ridge as part of the road project.)

1. Mauna Loa stops are temporary until the roadwork is completed. 

Update: The bus stop signs on Mauna Loa Boulevard will need to be regular SCAT bus stop signs rather than temporary “yard sign” type signs. We have learned that the construction may last up to 18 months and we need the signs to last long-term. The bus stop signs will be installed on public right of way not private property between the sidewalk and the curb on Mauna Loa Boulevard. 

 SCAT Planning is also working to consider the long-term location of the bus route on Bee Ridge east of I-75 and would like to work with residents to discuss that issue. Our long term plan calls for the route to travel to the Publix store at Iona Road in the future. However, if Lake Sarasota residents would like to continue some service on Mauna Loa, SCAT would certainly consider that as part of our future planning.

2. The proposed detour route is south-east on Mauna Loa, north on Middlesex to Berkshire, then right (east) on Bee Ridge, right (south) on Middlesex and continue south back to Mauna Loa where the bus will head back west and north to Bee Ridge Road and the signal.

3. The only part of Bee Ridge that SCAT Route 14 will use is between Berkshire and Bee Ridge. (SCAT may have to make adjustments during the time the roundabout at Berkshire is constructed.)