State Road 681
Opened to traffic in the early 1980s, Florida State Road 681 (Venice Connector) provides a direct link between Interstate 75 south and U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) near Laurel and Osprey in central Sarasota County.
Originally designed and designated as a high speed limited access expressway, the 4.14 mile long Venice Connector was downgraded with the inclusion of an at-grade intersection with Honore Avenue in 2011 just south of Interstate 75. A second at-grade intersection opened by 2018 at En Theos Lane, entrance to the Bellacina by Casey Key subdivision. This was all in part to spur growth around the surrounding area.
Additional plans call for one final at-grade intersection at an unspecified location and median openings along the road. Long term plans also indicate an eventual connection between SR 681 north and I-75 south, with a possible southward extension of Lorraine Road tieing into the exchange from the northeast.
North
SR 681 (Venice Connector) leads north from an interchange with U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) on a 4.14 mile course to I-75 north.
10/21/22
This shield assembly ahead of Pajaros Drive was missing by October 2022, presumably by hurricane Ian.
07/09/17
Previously limited-access, at grade intersections were slowly introduced along SR 681 beginning in 2011 at Honore Avenue. The crossing ahead with En Theos Lane was the second one, opened to traffic by 2015.
07/09/17
10/15/16
En Theos Lane and Isla Palma Lane come together at this set of flashers along SR 681 north.
10/21/22
Turning northeast, SR 681 passes over Legacy Trail en route to Honore Avenue and I-75. Legacy Trail is a former CSX railroad line repurposed into a multi-use trail in 2011 connecting Sarasota and Venice.
10/21/22
Speeds increase along SR 681 as the Venice Connector advances north of Talon Preserve on Palmer Ranch subdivision to Honore Avenue.
07/09/17
Honore Avenue was extended southward through Palmer Ranch by Spring 2011 to an at-grade intersection with SR 681. The arterial continues south along a segment opened in 2016 to Laurel Road.
10/21/22
SR 681 advances 0.44 miles from Honore Avenue to Interstate 75.
10/23/22
The Venice Connector concludes at a wye interchange (Exit 200) with I-75 southbound.
07/09/17
Northbound SR 681 defaults onto I-75 north to Sarasota and Bradenton.
10/23/22
South
Leaving a wye interchange with Interstate 75 south, SR 681 commences southbound. Speed limits vary from 60 to 55 mph along the 4.1 mile long course to U.S. 41 near Nokomis.
10/15/16
The first confirming marker for SR 681 precedes the signalized intersection with Honore Avenue. Trailblazers for U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) are also posted along the entire stretch.
10/21/22
Extended by March 2011 from Central Sarasota Parkway, Honore Avenue meets SR 681 at a signalized intersection. A second extension opened in Spring 2016, linking SR 681 with Laurel and Pinebrook Roads further south.1 Honore Avenue provides a third north to south option between Venice and Sarasota in addition to I-75 and U.S. 41.
10/21/22
SR 681 advances southwest from Honore Avenue, lining a residential subdivision and Oscar Scherer State Park.
10/21/22
U.S. 41 joins SR 681 with both Osprey to the north and Venice to the south six miles ahead.
10/21/22
Speeds reduce as SR 681 spans Legacy Trail. Stretching 10.6 miles from near SR 72 (Clark Road) to Venice Avenue, Legacy Trail was converted from part of an abandoned CSX rail corridor between south Sarasota and Venice in Fall 2011.
10/21/22
Oscar Scherer State Park is accessible from U.S. 41, 1.5 miles north of SR 681. Park amenities include canoeing, camping, fishing and hiking.
10/21/22
A set of flashers operate along SR 681 at En Theos and Isla Palma Lanes. En Theos Lane stems east into Bellacina by Casey Key subdivision while Isla Palma Lane joins SR 681 with Palmero Sarasota subdivision from the west.
10/15/16
10/21/22
The Venice Historic District lies to the west of U.S. 41 Business (Tamiami Trail) and includes most of Downtown Venice.
10/21/22
A single lane ramp leaves for U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) north to Osprey and the greater Sarasota-Bradenton area.
10/21/22
SR 681 south concludes ahead at the merge with U.S. 41 south ahead of Roberts Road in unincorporated Laurel.
10/21/22
U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) continues south through Laurel and Nokomis before reaching the limits of Venice.
10/21/22
scenes
Honore Avenue passes Eagle Branch Drive into Talon Preserve at Palmer Ranch subdivision ahead of an intersection with SR 681 (Venice Connector).
10/23/22
The Venice Connector ties directly into I-75 north to eastern reaches of Sarasota and Bradenton en route to Tampa.
10/23/22
Traveling south, SR 681 follows the Venice Connector to U.S. 41 midway between Nokomis and Osprey. Honore Avenue continues north from SR 681 through the Palmer Ranch development into Sarasota.
10/23/22
An interchange ties U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) with SR 681 (Venice Connector) north of Roberts Road. SR 681 joins U.S. 41 with Honore Avenue and I-75 north to the Tampa Bay region.
10/21/22
U.S. 41 continues north six miles from the southern end of SR 681 to Osprey.
10/16/16
Archive - North
Prior scene along the northbound beginning of SR 681 from U.S. 41 near Pararos Drive.
07/09/17
Construction for the at-grade intersection with En Theos Lane commenced Spring 2015.
07/09/17
The extension of Honore Avenue to SR 681 and points south has allowed the Palmer Ranch development to expand along the corridor.
07/09/17
Previous shield assembly at the northbound end of SR 681 at I-75 north to Sarasota.
01/02/07
Archive - South
Former scene near the beginning of SR 681 south ahead of Honore Avenue north. A signal was added to the intersection when Honore Avenue was extended southward toward Venice.
11/27/14
Historical perspective of the intersection with Honore Avenue before its southern extension to Laurel Road in Spring 2016.
11/27/14
This guide sign was replaced sometime after November 2014 to reflect destination inclusions (Venice Historic District) and lane additions.
11/27/14
References:
- "Honore Avenue extension to provide I-75 alternative." mysuncoast.com (TV-News).
Photo Credits:
- Brent Ivy: 10/21/22, 10/23/22
- Alex Nitzman: 11/27/14, 10/15/16, 10/16/16, 07/09/17
- Andy Field: 01/02/07
Connect with:
Page Updated Saturday October 29, 2022.