I-75 closed in south Sarasota County because of flooding brought by Hurricane Ian

Victor Hull, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·2 min read

UPDATE: I-75 reopened at 4 p.m. Saturday.

State transportation officials closed Interstate 75 between North Port and Venice Tuesday because of flooding from the Myakka River, which flows under the highway near River Road in south Sarasota County.

"Please be advised that the Myakka River under I-75 has risen no longer making it safely passable for motorists," the Florida Department of Transportation announced in a news release Friday night.

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The agency said the Myakka's rising water prompted a closure of I-75 in both directions from mile marker 179, at the Toledo Blade Boulevard exit in North Port to mile marker 191, which is the Jacaranda Boulevard exit leading to Venice and Engelwood.

"Motorists planning on traveling to Southwest Florida on I-75 should seek an alternative route" or follow listed detours, the agency said.

"Major delays are expected in the area, please plan accordingly," the agency sadi, urging people to avoid I-75 in the area.

For motorists traveling south on I-75, a detour will be established at Exit 257 in Brandon, re-routing them east on State Road 60 to U.S. 98.

Floodwaters from Hurricane Ian overtook homes in several North Port neighborhoods.
Floodwaters from Hurricane Ian overtook homes in several North Port neighborhoods.

Motorists continuing south on I-75 will only be allowed to travel as far as Exit 191, where they will be forced to exit, turn around and return northbound.

For motorists traveling north on I-75, a detour will be established at Palm Beach Boulevard (exit 141) in Fort Myers to route east on S.R. 80/U.S. 27 to U.S. 98.

Motorists continuing on will be forced to exit at Toledo Blade, turn around and return southbound.

The DOT and Florida Highway Patrol will continue to monitor the area and flooding, the release said.

The detours will remain until the water recedes, the agency said, and that may not be for several days.

Floridians should visit www.FL511.com or download the app for information on road closures and routes, the release stated.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Flooding from Ian prompts I-75 in south Sarasota County