Construction of Clark Rd. and Bee Ridge Rd. Overpasses Now Scheduled to Start November 27

Construction of the Bee Ridge Rd. overpass is now scheduled to start on 27 November, with the Clark Rd. overpass scheduled to start one month later. The project is expected to be completed by late 2024.

Here are a few more renderings provided by FDOT.

Some pertinent information available so far:

• The overpasses will be 12 feet wide and use the same construction method as used for the Laurel Rd. overpass. This type of construction uses reinforced earth on the approaches to the mid-span. Click here for details of this method.
• The design of the Clark Rd. overpass is influenced by the need for compatibility with a future project to straighten the McIntosh Road intersection at Clark Road. There is currently no funding for straightening the McIntosh intersection, so it is unlikely this project will start any time soon.
• When the McIntosh Road intersection is straightened, it will be necessary for trail users to cross McIntosh immediately after (or before if traveling south) crossing the overpass. One conceptual plan suggested by Spencer Anderson, Sarasota County Public Works Director, would be to slightly raise McIntosh Road and have the trail go under the road (see conceptual images in gallery above).

Legacy Trail to Bobby Jones Trail Extension:
Stakeholder Community Meetings

The city of Sarasota is considering plans for connecting The Legacy Trail to the planned Bobby Jones Nature Park. As part of the preliminary project development study, the city of Sarasota will be holding a series of community meetings to obtain stakeholder input:

Location:
Veterans of Foreign Wars Sunshine Post 3233
124 S Tuttle Avenue
Sarasota, FL 34237

• Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 5:30 PM
• Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 5:30 PM
• Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 5:30 PM

Click here for more information.

Florida Gulf Coast Trail Logo

The Florida Gulf Coast Trail has a new logo! The Trust for Public Land and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection hosted a logo contest to select this epic trail’s official logo. After tallying the votes, congratulations to Kelly Kure from Sarasota, FL for submitting the winning logo! This stunning great blue heron design reflects the natural beauty of Florida and will be featured across all 336 miles of the trail. Thank you to all who participated in this contest! Learn more…

Introducing the first FLT cycling jersey!

Made from very comfortable high-quality SPF 30 fabric, the jersey features full front zipper, back pockets, and vibrant colors for visibility on the trail and roads.

The jerseys are a standard cut and run true to size (men’s XS-5X, women’s XXS-5X, youth S-XL). They are not a snug racing cut. For a looser fit, order one size up. Jerseys are available either with or without sleeves. The price is $75 for all sizes and cuts.

Ordering Instructions
Send an email to legacytrailsales@gmail.com with the following information: size, cut (men’s, women’s, or youth), with or without sleeves, and phone number in the event we need to contact you about your order. You may order multiple jerseys by clearly indicating the descriptive information above for each jersey in your email. Send a check for $75 each, made payable to FLT, and mail to FLT, 744 Tropical Circle, Sarasota, FL 34242. Or pay by Zelle to legacytrailsales@gmail.com. We will notify you when your jersey has arrived. You must pick up your jersey at the FLT information table on the Legacy Trail (see here). Jerseys can be purchased directly at the information table as well.