The traffic jams that occurred after the 50-car pileup on I-75 a few weeks ago showed the urgent need for an additional north-south relief road in the area. An extension of Honore Avenue is that road, and would have relieved those problems — if it had been in place.

The good news from Sarasota County Public Works this week is that construction is projected to begin next fall on the final extension of Honore Avenue, from State Road 681, the Venice connector, to Laurel Road. Vinod Sancheti, project manager, said the project, targeted for completion in spring 2015, will include a signalized intersection at S.R. 681.