Three Stories From City of Sarasota That Involve the Word of the Season: TRAFFIC!

Sarasota Half Marathon & Relay - March 13   Planning Ahead - The 11th annual First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon & Relay will be held this Sunday, March 13. The event will start at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall at 6:45  Route for the 11th annual First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon & Relay.  a.m., head north to the Ringling Museum of Art, through the nearby  neighborhoods then south on U.S. 41, across the Ringling Bridge, around St. Armands Circle, then back to the Van Wezel for the finish line.  The event is scheduled to conclude by 10:30 a.m. This is the longest running half marathon in Sarasota and once again it's sold out.  Organizers are debuting a partnership with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital this year which will give 100 individuals an opportunity to raise funds for this worthwhile charity and guarantee them race entry in the sold out event. And, remember: Daylight Saving Time starts Sunday morning...so, set your clocks one hour ahead to ensure you're on time for the race.

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FDOT:  Coon Key Bridge Construction  We've been notified by the Florida Department of Transportation that a deck replacement project on the Coon Key bridge has been placed into the construction schedule sooner than expected.  Starting April 4, westbound S.R. 789 (John Ringling Blvd) will be reduced from two lanes to one while FDOT crews make necessary improvements to the bridge. Two concrete panels on the bridge will be replaced, with the construction work taking place during daylight hours. FDOT anticipates the project will be finished by mid-July. The Coon Key bridge will be reduced to one lane starting April 4 due to a FDOT project. Due to the acceleration of the project, the City now will delay two scheduled improvement projects in the vicinity until the bridge work is completed. Once FDOT is finished, the City will begin median enhancements as well as construction of a sidewalk near Bird Key.

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St. Armands Circle - Pedestrian Traffic Management  If you're heading to St. Armands Circle this weekend, keep your eyes out for something new: crossing guards or Pedestrian Traffic Managers (PTMs). To help pedestrian and vehicle flow around the circle, FDOT is launching a pilot program to measure the efficacy of   A FDOT crossing guard stops traffic on the Circle as pedestrians safely cross the street. controlling pedestrians at the crosswalks. At select crosswalks, crossing guards wearing fluorescent yellow safety vests and hats, are periodically pausing pedestrian movement to allow vehicles to flow around the circle. After a short time, the crossing guards halt traffic so pedestrians can safely cross the street. It's hoped the Pedestrian Traffic Managers will help reduce conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles without creating a logjam. The crossing guards will be in position at St. Armands Circle Wednesdays – Sundays 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. through April 3. Pedestrians waiting with a crossing guard while traffic flows around St. Armands Circle.