Venice traffic backed up for blocks for sand

VENICE — There is a 2-hour wait or longer as traffic is backed up for blocks at the city of Venice sandbag location at 252 Seaboard Ave.

Residents said they're upset the city didn't start offering sand Sunday. Venice also did something unusual last week, forcing people to go to city hall to get sandbags, then drive miles away to get sand.

Today, the sand and sandbags are both being offered at the Seaboard Avenue location.

For Sarasota County, operations will be at offered until 7 p.m. Monday at:

• South County Fleet Services, 4571 State Road 776/Englewood Road, Venice

• Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St., Sarasota

• Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road, Sarasota

The county noted residents are limited to 10 bags per vehicle.

North Port has a station set up as well, behind the George Mullen Center next to City Hall, 1602 Kramer Way.

Venice city spokesperson Lorraine Anderson said the police department is aiming to help out with the line of traffic at the Venice location.

"VPD is in the process of changing the traffic pattern at Seaboard to assist in alleviating congestion, routing vehicles down Warfield," she said.