FDOT Plan for I-75 at Bee Ridge

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The release below from FDOT offers a brief overview of the plan for Bee Ridge Road and I-75, with major changes, and widened roads and highway. Note there is a public information gathering on Tuesday Dec. 15th - details below.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District One is preparing design plans for future widening of approximately 3.8 miles of Interstate 75 (I-75) from south of Bee Ridge Road to south of Fruitville Road and reconstruction of the I-75/Bee Ridge Road interchange in Sarasota County, Florida.
In December 2011, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved a preferred alternative from the Project Development and Environmental (PD&E) study of I-75 from south of SR 681 to north of University Parkway in Sarasota and Manatee counties. As part of the PD&E study, two public hearings were held in 2009. At the I-75/Bee Ridge Road interchange, the preferred alternative maintained the existing partial cloverleaf interchange but added turn lanes on the northbound and southbound I-75 off-ramps. Bee Ridge Road would be widened from four to six lanes in each direction and turn lanes would be added at the Bee Ridge Road/Cattlemen Road intersection.


During the design phase, traffic simulations were performed that indicated that the preferred alternative for I-75/Bee Ridge Road would result in excessive delay and queuing. A modified design proposal was developed to address this issue. The modified design plan includes reconstruction of I-75 at Bee Ridge Road interchange from the existing diamond configuration to a hybrid diverging diamond interchange (DDI) and southbound diversion ramp. FDOT also proposes rebuilding the Bee Ridge Road at Cattlemen Road intersection to a continuous flow intersection (CFI). The hybrid DDI, southbound diversion ramp, and CFI work in conjunction to accommodate the traffic at I-75/Bee Ridge Road interchange and the Bee Ridge Road/Cattlemen Road intersection, which are in very close proximity to each other.
The hybrid DDI shifts eastbound traffic to the left to allow for improved access to northbound I-75. The southbound diversion ramp eliminates a weaving issue between the I-75/ Bee Ridge Road interchange and the Bee Ridge/Cattlemen Road intersection. It also improves access to commercial and residential areas on Cattlemen Road. The CFI diverts the westbound and eastbound traffic to the left prior to the intersection. This reduces the number of phases for the signals and improves delay times.
The proposed design plans continue to include widening I-75 from south of Bee Ridge Road to south of Fruitville Road to an eight-lane highway. Bridges over Palmer Boulevard and Phillipi Creek would be widened and the I-75 bridges over Bee Ridge Road would be replaced. One mile of Bee Ridge Road from west of Bee Ridge Road/Maxfield Drive intersection to west of Bee Ridge Road/Mauna Loa Boulevard intersection would be widened.
A future ultimate I-75 design project would widen the interstate from eight lanes to twelve lanes. The ultimate project includes two express lanes, three general use lanes, and one auxiliary lane in each direction within the project limits. Ultimate improvements are planned to extend acceptable level of service for I-75 well beyond 2050. Construction is not currently funded in FDOT’s five-year work program. Additional Info here.

Public Meeting Project Schedule

FDOT will hold a public meeting to review the proposed modifications to the approved PD&E study preferred alternative and to receive public comment:
Date: Tuesday, December 15, 2015 Time: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Location: Realtor Association of Sarasota & Manatee
2320 Cattlemen Road Sarasota, Florida 34232
Contact Us
If you have any questions about the I-75 design project, please contact FDOT Project Manager Kevin Ingle, P.E. at:
Kevin Ingle, P.E. FDOT Project Manager 801 N. Broadway Ave, Bartow, Florida 33831 863-519-2740 kevin.ingle@dot.state.fl.us
Design: Summer 2013 to Summer 2017 Public Meeting: December 15, 2015 ROW Acquisition: Partial funding 2016 Construction: Unfunded
Project Website
FDOT solicits public participation without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Jamie Schley at 863-519-2573 or by e-mail to jamie.schley@dot.state.fl.us at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (voice).
Additional information can be found on the project website:


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