Sarasota News Leader
October 18, 2013
"The basic concept of the diverging diamond
interchange is to switch the eastbound and
westbound lanes so that turns on and off
the ramps become right turns, thereby saving signal green time and increasing capacity
through the signals at the interchange,"
Harriott added.
During the Oct. 9 County Commission meeting, Paul said discussions already are under
way with FDOT regarding the future alignment of Fruitville Road and Lakewood Ranch
Boulevard to handle the expected heavier
volume of traffic when the county's Fruitville
Initiative and the new University Town Center
mall are complete. Future events at Nathan
Benderson Park — including the 2017 World
Rowing Championships — also will lead to
higher traffic counts in that area, he noted.
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Development at Lakewood Ranch, including
the corporate park, figures into the mix as
well, Paul explained. Instead of continually
widening the lanes of I-75, he added, "Why
not consider an additional overpass?"
That would be preferable to a piecemeal
approach, he pointed out, with new intersection projects followed by road widening
work. "It makes more sense from a regional
transportation perspective."
SMR was willing to work with the county on
the long-range planning process, he continued, adding that Benderson Development Co.
consultants and those handling the Fruitville
Initiative also are collaborating with county
staff on its proposals.
Traffic maneuvers through a diverging diamond interchange at Interstate 44 and Route 13 in
Springfield, MO, in 2011. Photo by Brandonrush via Wikimedia Commons
