Sarasota County begins work on Cattlemen extension

Sarasota County officials have broken ground on the extension of Cattlemen Road north to University Parkway. As part of the project, construction crews will lengthen the Nathan Benderson Park's lake by about 500 meters, making it suitable for international rowing competition.

Sarasota County is using $14 million in federal stimulus dollars to fund the $20 million project.

“This road has been on the Sarasota books for ages as an important part of the transportation grid,” Sarasota County Commission Chairwoman Nora Patterson says. “We were able to [get] $14 million of federal stimulus with the cooperation of Manatee County. We waded through a maze of federal regulations to make this project qualify for federal funding. Our staff did an incredible job, and now the road will be completed in 18 months.”

Commissioners will award a contract for construction of the project later this month and expect construction to commence in the fall. Florida Power & Light already is working to relocate lines on the property.

Reporting by correspondent Pam Eubanks