The Lake Sarasota Community Blog

Further UPDATE: SCAT has provided a third option and this is now confirmed to be the one they will use: Also: SCAT will notify neighborhoods along Bee Ridge when a decision is made about where Route #14 will end once the roadwork is completed. One possibility is for the bus to turn around at the Aberdeen roundabout, rather than continue to the Bee Ridge Extension.  SCAT has provided average daily ridership figures for Route 14, and the maps have been updated to more accurately reflect the current alternatives. Note the final entry under the ridership figures: And, most significant, indicating need to retain full service:  Berkshire & Coleridge:  end of line:  32 & 28 Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) SCAT continues to serve Bee Ridge Road east of I-75 with our Route 14 and have been able maintain service through construction. We are now contacting you to request input from the Lake Sarasota community on a proposed detour that would start on ...

SCAT has been closely involved with the construction contractor in weekly meetings and updates. At this time, SCAT is planning to operate the Route 14 bus along the current route on Bee Ridge Road and loop around Middlesex Place and Berkshire Drive. Construction activities are such that for now two way traffic is being accommodated. SCAT has submitted a request to remove all bagged bus stop installed along Mauna Loa to the Sarasota County Traffic Engineering department. SCAT Operations is monitoring traffic and construction activities. If at certain times, the bus route is blocked, SCAT would use Mauna Loa only very temporarily detour (possibly even for only one trip, or portions of day) around the construction delay and would not stop to pick up or discharge passengers.

The team recommends limiting the number of bus stops along the Mauna Loa Boulevard detour route. SCAT is proposing to add one stop northbound and one stop southbound on Mauna Loa Boulevard. MAUNA LOA BOULEVARD, WEST SIDE of the street, approximately 25 FEET NORTH from BIKINI WAY. MAUNA LOA BOULEVARD, EAST SIDE of the street, approximately 25 FEET SOUTH from BRENTFORD ROAD. SCAT will also maintain three existing bus stops within the neighborhood on Berkshire Drive and on Middlesex Place. These are long standing bus stops and are used by SCAT passengers. The reason for the limited stops is to allow Route 14 to stay on time. The detour adds considerable distance to the route, and stopping frequently would add time to the route. The locations at Bikini Way and Bretford Road closely reflect current service. SCAT buses will adhere to all speed limits and use added caution when traveling along Mauna Loa Boulevard and at all times within the neighborhood. We value the safety of...

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 st...