SARASOTA, FL (WWSB) - Whether you love 'em or hate 'em, more roundabouts are on the way here on the Suncoast.
After 7 long months, a downtown intersection reopens this week.
So far there is no exact date set yet on when the roundabout at Ringling Boulevard and Orange Avenue will open this week.
Sarasota City Officials say it should be opening soon.
Businesses and People who live near Ringling Boulevard and Orange Avenue have been anticipating the opening of the roundabout for a while now.
The intersection has been closed since November.
the new one lane roundabout isn't the only thing that will be new at Ringling and Orange.
There will be upgrades like a new water line and additional lighting for the road and sidewalks.
One Sarasota City spokesperson says the main reason for putting the roundabout at this intersection was to improve traffic flow and driver and pedestrian safety.
Many improvements were completed last week.
they included the installation of signage, landscaping and a foundation for public artwork that will be displayed in the center of the roundabout.
That artwork is by a local artist named Jorge Blanco.
His aluminum sculpture named Bravo will be installed sometime this summer.
The roundabout doesn't come at a small price, it cost $875,000 which was funded by a grant with the Florida Department of Transportation.
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