UU.S. Highway 17 from the Charlotte/DeSoto County line to S.W. Collins Street — Work continues to widen four miles of US 17 from two to four lanes. Crews currently are converting original US 17 travel lanes to future southbound travel lanes through the entire length of the project. Workers are paving new lanes and installing retention ponds, water lines, drain pipes, silt fences, sod and mulch. From 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, motorists should expect intermittent lane closures on US 17 in both directions for the removal of temporary barrier walls and paving activities between SW Collins Street and Senate Street. Flagmen will direct traffic while the barrier wall removal and paving are under way. Motorists should also expect intermittent daytime flagging operations throughout the week for paving and other construction activities at the points where side streets between SW Collins Street and the DeSoto/Charlotte county line, including County Road 761, intersect with the original (future southbound) US 17 lanes presently closed/under construction. The intersection work will not affect the US 17 lanes now open to traffic. 

US 17 from Livingston Street to the Hardee County line — Crews will be edging and sweeping from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. along state right-of-way, weather permitting. Motorists should expect lane changes and should use caution when traveling through work area.