Drivers in Manatee County are finally getting an update on when the highway expansion project on University Parkway will be complete.

  • Manatee highway expansion project to be completed in September
  • Project to be Florida's first diverging diamond interchange

The Florida Department of Transportation said Tuesday that Florida’s first diverging diamond interchange will be completed by September.

The interchange will increase sidewalk widths, bike lanes, new traffic signals and more.

The project started in 2015, and despite some setbacks last summer and winter, the project manager said they are actually 30 to 45 days ahead of schedule.

The state plans to have the construction complete just in time for the 2017 World Rowing Championship.