PALMETTO -- The Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization today approved a long-range work plan worth more than $176 million in transportation funding for Manatee County.

Manatee County MPO representatives succeeded in shifting $5 million from a study focusing on replacement of the DeSoto Bridge to a more general study aimed at improvements to the U.S. 41/301 corridor, north of the Manatee River, with the Federal Department of Transportation.

Among other projects listed on the multi-year work plan are a $2.8 million resurfacing from U.S. 41 (14th Street) to 15th Street East (301 Boulevard); and a $1.4 million resurfacing of S.R. 64 from Perico Bay to Palma Sola Boulevard, according to documents from the regional transportation agency.

Other projects included a $7.7 million improvement to the intersection at U.S. 41 and Piney Point Road, facing Port Manatee; and a $75,780 repair project for the Green Bridge spanning the Manatee River, documents said.