The Venice Avenue and Jacaranda Boulevard Roundabout in Venice will have two lanes initially, but will be built for conversion to a three-lane facility if needed to handle traffic volumes. Approach lane improvements will extend about 1,200 feet in all four directions along Venice Avenue and Jacaranda Boulevard and include a center island, closed drainage, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, curbed medians, Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) bus facilities, pedestrian crossings and stormwater facilities. Also included are street lighting upgrades, landscaping and accent lighting of trees within the circle.
The advantage of the modern roundabout is to move traffic through an intersection without the aid of traffic signals. It involves one-way traffic moving around a circular central island where entering traffic must yield to the traffic already in the roundabout. The objectives of roundabouts are to reduce traffic speeds and reduce the number and severity of crashes, while improving traffic flow. Roundabouts are designed to accommodate all sizes of vehicles.
The Sarasota County Commission on May 11, 2010, awarded a $3,260,220 contract to Gator Grading and Paving LLC in Palmetto. Construction is expected to start in June and take 270 days to complete.
Funding for the roadway portion is provided by gas taxes, county road impact fees and developer contributions. Funding of the utility portion is available through rates.
