Manatee County commissioners will consider using $1.6 million to expedite an impact study on improvements to U.S. 301 especially the DeSoto Bridge in the wake of a bicyclist who was hit and killed by a motorist this week.
But the board remains split on whether the gifted state transportation funds should instead be used for countywide traffic signal improvements, which could provide more immediate safety enhancements.
The Florida Department of Transportation has handed Manatee $1.6 million in leftovers that have yet to be budgeted into the county’s five-year transportation plan. While the fresh allocation came as welcomed news to commissioners, initial consensus couldn’t be reached among board members during a work session Tuesday on where the newfound cash should be spent.
The most discussed option was the U.S. 301 study, the first required step to move along improvements to the busy Bradenton corridor, which ultimately could include some sidewalks or bicycle lanes on the DeSoto Bridge.
“Here’s a bridge that’s functionally obsolete; it’s dangerous,” Commissioner Joe McClash said. “This could happen to anybody riding their bike across the bridge in the middle of the day.”
The Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization board voted in December to set the $1.6 million aside for U.S. 301 a proposal echoed by McClash and other commissioners Tuesday.
Some MPO officials and county staff, however, said the money may be best used elsewhere.
The planning development and environmental study will cost $3 million, leaving the county with a $1.4 million shortfall on the work.
On top of that, for the study to gain approval by the state, the MPO also must alter its long-range plan and address where the design and construction funds will come from.
Although the study doesn’t expire, if done prematurely, it will need to be altered to reflect new developments, which also can become costly, according to FDOT officials.
The U.S. 301 study would take an estimated 18 months to complete.
“Part of the frustration this year was the unique legislative session, which was moved up two months,” MPO Executive Director Mike Howe said. “There just wasn’t much time for everyone to review and react to this very important proposal.”
MPO officials recommended using the $1.6 million on enhancements to the traffic management system that will allow emergency vehicles to shorten response times by tapping into the signal light software.
Because the total cost of that plan is about $2 million, some commissioners also believe that’s where the state funds would have a more immediate impact.
A final vote will come before the board in March or April.
“Any small change you make in a program has ripples through the entire thing,” Commissioner Larry Bustle said. “That’s something we need to think about before we make arbitrary changes.”
Josh Salman, Herald business writer, can be reached at 941-745-7095.
