MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (SNN TV) — With the scoop of some shovels, the final and most expensive part of the 44th East Avenue project began Monday morning.
“We’ve been working on this for over 30 years and now we’re at this point where we’re looking to go over I-75,” said Manatee County Commissioner At-Large Jason Bearden.
The 44th East Avenue Extension Project was incorporated into Manatee County’s 1989 Comprehensive Plan.
The first of six parts began in 2013. Four parts have been completed so far, with a fifth to be completed this February.
This sixth part will add an I-75 overpass to Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, making it the most expensive part of the project at $160 million.
“There are a lot of material pieces. We got the pylons for the flyover and so forth, and some of that takes time to get done,” said Manatee County Commissioner At-Large George Kruse.
