Panther Ridge residents will lose their primary way in and out of the neighborhood for 45 days. The Florida Department of Transportation will close the entrance at 197th Street East and State Road 70 Wednesday, Sept. 30.

The closure runs through Nov. 14. FDOT is tearing out the intersection to build a new roundabout as part of the $98.4 million State Road 70 widening project.

Emergency vehicles will still get through

The key question residents had been asking for weeks has an answer: emergency vehicles will be allowed through the work zone. Manatee County government confirmed the access in a Sept. 21 post on X, stating that emergency vehicles will be permitted while all other local and through traffic must follow a marked detour. WWSB reported the same, citing FDOT documents.


That confirmation matters. Sharon Kasper, wife of resident Bruce Kasper, had voiced concerns about ambulance delays. The East County Observer reported Sept. 15 that FDOT had not responded to the community's concerns despite repeated phone calls and emails over more than a week.

Bruce Kasper, who has a heart condition requiring frequent emergency room visits, told WWSB on Sept. 23 that the detour will stretch routine errands. "An hour to go to Publix, an hour to get a pizza pie," he said.

A 12-mile detour for some residents

Panther Ridge's only alternative entrance forces some residents to drive roughly 12 miles out of their way to reach the same spot on State Road 70, according to resident Bruce Roberts. Roberts told the East County Observer that other communities affected by road closures have had access points toward Interstate 75 or University Parkway. Panther Ridge does not.

Not every resident opposes the disruption. Scott King, also of Panther Ridge, told WWSB he knows of at least 14 deaths along the stretch of road due to traffic and speed. King called the temporary closure worth the long-term safety benefit.

One of several new roundabouts planned

The roundabout at 197th Street East is one of several FDOT is building along State Road 70 between Uihlein Road and 79th Avenue. The wider project includes expanded lanes and sidewalks. A similar closure at Lindrick Lane, directly across State Road 70 from Panther Ridge, was expected to wrap up the week of Sept. 15.

FDOT estimates the full State Road 70 widening project will finish by summer 2027. Residents can find detour maps and project updates on the FDOT project page.