U.S. Highway 17 from the Charlotte/DeSoto County line to S.W. Collins Street — Work continues to widen four miles of U.S. 17 from two to four lanes. Crews currently are converting original U.S. 17 travel lanes to future southbound travel lanes through the entire length of the project. Workers are paving new lanes and installing retention ponds, water lines, drain pipes, silt fences, sod and mulch. Massachusetts Street will be closed for paving and curb work at the point where it intersects with the now closed (future southbound) U.S. 17 travel lanes through Friday. Motorists should use Kentucky Street as a detour route while Massachusetts Street is closed. From S.W. Collins Street to the DeSoto/Charlotte County line, motorists should also expect daytime flagging operations at side streets intersecting with the original U.S. 17 lanes presently closed or under construction. Flagging also will occur where County Road 761 intersects with now closed U.S. 17 travel lanes. The work at Massachusetts Street and other streets will not affect traffic on the U.S. 17 lanes now open in both directions. Motorists are reminded to observe the posted speed limit and to drive with caution. Law enforcement is patrolling the construction zone and speeding fines are doubled when workers are present. Project completion is expected early in 2013. The contractor is Better Roads Inc.