Chief Transportation Planner Colleen McGue recently sat down with Chuck Englund, host of the "Suncoast Speaks" radio program on AM 930 The Answer, for an in-depth interview about the transportation master plan process and all the exciting mobility options the City will be looking at. You can listen here.

 

John Ringling Causeway - MURT Project   A much-anticipated improvement project from the Ringling Bridge to St. Armands Key is planned to get underway this summer, pending final approval from the Florida Department of Transportation. 

 

Known as the Coon Key MURT (multi-use recreational trail) project, the initiative will provide connectivity from the twin bridges across Coon Key to Washington Drive.  Ten-foot sidewalks will be installed on both sides of the roadway for walking, running, bicycling and other recreational activities.  The invasive Australian pines, which caused safety issues by falling and temporarily blocking the road and access to the barrier islands during Hurricane Irma, will be replaced with a variety of native trees and landscaping.  While this work is being done, a 16-inch AC water main on the north side of the road will be replaced.  In addition, three new SCAT shelters will be installed.

 

Invasive trees will be replaced with native species and a 10-foot-wide recreational trail will be constructed.

We anticipate construction should begin in July and wrap up in approximately 11 months without road closures.  Following that work, Florida Power & Light is scheduled to bury power lines underground in the vicinity as part of the St. Armands Garage initiative.    

 

The project will be divided into three phases, with Phase I involving work on the south side, including removing the invasive trees and constructing the MURT.  Phase II will include work on the north side:  removing invasive pines, replacing the water main and building the new MURT.  The final phase will be installation of new landscaping.

 

 

Recycling - Preventing Fires   A recent spontaneous fire in a commercial recycling truck in downtown Sarasota is a good reminder about properly disposing of unwanted, recyclable items. While we don't know for sure what prompted a Waste Management truck to burst into flames at Five Points, fires are erupting at recycling facilities throughout the nation at a concerning rate.


 

 

 

Pet a Pup - Employee Wellness   We're committed to fostering a healthy workplace for our dedicated 700-plus City employees. It's in that spirit of wellness that we invited pet therapy dog teams from the Humane Society of Sarasota County to our offices this week, so that City staff could take a time out, relax and come pet a pup. 

Administrative assistant Angela McLeod Wilkins meets therapy dog Bear at an employee wellness event Tuesday.

Studies have shown that there are numerous mental and physical health benefits associated with simply being in the presence of therapy pets, so it was great to have these wonderful animals come by and help our employees de-stress and have some fun.

Thank you to the volunteers from the Humane Society for bringing their furry friends to City Hall, the Federal Building and the police station. And special thanks to  Lance, Molly, Reina, Bear and Daisy Belle II for visiting and brightening our day. Be sure to visit hssc.org to learn more about pet adoption if you're considering adding to your family.