CORTEZ – Motorists and others traveling along Cortez Road West, near the Cortez Bridge and the former Seafood Shack property, during Memorial Day weekend will encounter a closed intersection at 127th Street West. The intersection closure is associated with the Cortez Bridge Utility Relocation project.
The Cortez Road/119th Street West intersection remains open but there’s no outlet near the former Seafood Shack property for motorists who turn north on 119th Street West and travel along Harbour Landings Drive and 126th Street West.
126th Street West remains open but motorists can’t make a left turn onto 127th Street West, near the humpback bridge, to reach the nearby Cortez Road intersection.
According to the project update Manatee County issued on May 15, “Pipe installation and related activities are ongoing in preparation for FDOT’s construction of the new Cortez Bridge, scheduled to begin in 2026. Construction is currently underway east of the Cortez Bridge on the north side Cortez Road West along the northern shoulder of 124th Court West; on 127th Street West between Cortez Road West and 126th Street West; and on the south side of Cortez Road West between 124th Street West and Avenue A. Work in these areas is expected to continue through summer 2025.
“Construction will also be active west of the Cortez Bridge, on the north and south sides of Cortez Road West, throughout the duration of the project, which is expected to be complete in spring 2026. Construction is active Monday through Friday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., with after-hours and weekend work to occur on an as-needed basis. Motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians are asked to remain mindful of construction vehicles, equipment, crews, materials and traffic patterns when traveling in and near the construction areas,” the update says.
The Cortez Road West/127th Street West intersection is closed. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Utilities work is taking place on 127th Street West, near the old Annie’s Bait and Tackle location. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
