44th Avenue East is closer to heading over the interstate

BRADENTON, Fla. (WWSB) - The 44th Avenue East Extension project wrapped up project five and has moved on to project six. Project six includes the overpass on Interstate 75 which will connect Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch.

According to a project update released on May 3, pile driving operations are completed, and the installation of pier footings is taking place in the median of I-75.

West of I-75, the updated said excavation activities and cleaning are underway just north of The Ridge at Crossing Creek Community. The update said that work will be followed by “construction of an embankment and retaining wall in preparation for the western end of the bridge over I-75.”

East of I-75, the update said “the contractor is continuing pile driving operations in the county’s reclaimed water storage lake, directly south of the Manatee County Wastewater Plant.” Pile driving and construction of an embarkment and retaining wall will also take place for the eastern side of the bridge over the interstate.

The project is expected to be completed sometime in 2026. Chad Butzow, the Public Works Director, previously spoke to ABC7 about the project.

“Six lane 70 and a six lane 64. Those roads probably aren’t getting any bigger anytime soon, yet the community is still growing. So, this is the county skinning the game that we are moving for, on with full construction and the connection of 44th out to Lakewood Ranch,” said Butzow. “You can get all the way from eventually out to borne side boulevard all the way back to Cortez Road without using a state road.”

Not everyone is impressed with the project including Glynn Westberry who has lived west of the interstate for decades. Westberry said earlier parts of the project called his backyard home.

“Quite a few car washes and window washer, and house washes. It was really nasty and dirty and sandy,” said Westberry.

Westberry said the project will help him see family in Lakewood Ranch faster. He said Bradenton used to be a secret but now everyone is moving to the area. Westberry said Bradenton is becoming over developed.

“The only place you can go is east. You know, and there, on the other coast, they’re heading west. So, what’s going to happen? Going to meet in the middle at some point, I guess,” said Westberry.

For more information on the county’s extension project, head to their website here.