Welcome to The Legacy Trail
of Sarasota County, Florida
Meeting Information:
FLT meets the first Tuesday of each month at Oscar Scherer State Park 1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229 - 941-483-5956, in the Nature Center. The Park admission fee is waived for meeting attendees. More Info
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FDOT Secures Funding for Legacy Trail Overpass in Venice
The Florida Department of Transportation recently announced funding for the construction of an overpass across US 41 By-Pass in Venice for The Legacy Trail. Long envisioned as a major safety enhancement for the non-motorized recreation trail, the overpass project has been allotted $1.9 million dollars for construction in 2010. The funding became available when lower than expected bids were submitted on several other Florida transportation projects being funded by Federal stimulus dollars. County and City of Venice officials have asked for input on the design of this significant gateway project on the By-Pass.
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Construction Progressing Smoothly
On Trestle Replacement Bridge
Crews from Misener Marine at work in mid November driving
piles for the new Roberts Bay bridge on The Legacy Trail. 
Late December finds the pilings capped and the deck of the new Roberts Bay bridge now in place. While the resolution of an enlarged section of the same photo (below) doesn't do the scene justice, it offers a preview of the sunset migration of a huge flock of sea birds over the "Bird Bay" rookery, a sight Legacy Trail visitors will soon be enjoying.
Construction Progressing Smoothly
On Trestle Replacement Bridge
Crews from Misener Marine at work in mid November driving
piles for the new Roberts Bay bridge on The Legacy Trail.
Late December finds the pilings capped and the deck of the new Roberts Bay bridge now in place. While the resolution of an enlarged section of the same photo (below) doesn't do the scene justice, it offers a preview of the sunset migration of a huge flock of sea birds over the "Bird Bay" rookery, a sight Legacy Trail visitors will soon be enjoying.
Construction is nearly complete on the first of the two trestle replacement bridges in Nokomis, with crews now re-staging the heavy equipment to begin construction on the Dona Bay span soon. The $3.2 million, 365 day contract with Misener Marine Construction Inc. of Tampa was awarded by the Board of County Commissioners July 21, 2009. The contract calls for construction of new pedestrian bridges over both Roberts and Dona Bays, completing the 10.6 mile Legacy Trail as a continuous path from Palmer Ranch in southern Sarasota to the historic Venice Train Depot and the connection there to the nearly 10 additional miles of the Venetian Waterway Park Trails.
The Legacy Trail is temporarily closed during the construction from Colonia Lane south to the Nokomis Park Trailhead where the Roberts Bay portion of the project has its staging area. In addition the project will also upgrade the Trail entrance from the park to Americans with Disabilities Act standards and add a long planned canoe / kayak launch facility to the park. As work is completed on the Roberts Bay bridge and the park, crews will move north to construct the Dona Bay bridge. Click Here for details on the trail detour around the project area.
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Remaining Trail Rest Stations
Soon To Get Roofs
Sarasota County has received a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation to complete the 13 trail-side stop stations along The Legacy Trail. Roof structures for two of the sites were installed during initial phase of trail construction, funded through the generosity of donors, but funds were not available to roof the remaining locations.
Bids for the 60 day project to construct the eleven additional roofs as well as the addition of a second bench to all thirteen locations, are scheduled to be opened February 17. Following the typical period of due diligence to verify the contractor's qualifications, the Board of County Commissioners will award the contract. The start of construction is anticipated for mid April 2010.
