A new Chick-fil-A is coming to busy Bradenton intersection. Here are the traffic plans
In October, the Bradenton City Council sent chicken sandwich lovers’ hearts fluttering by approving a request to build a Chick-fil-A restaurant on the corner of Manatee Avenue West and 43rd Street West.
At the same time, others expressed concern about allowing a popular fast-food establishment in such a high-traffic location.
Until May of 2021, the site of the proposed Chick-fil-A at 4311 Manatee Ave. W. was occupied by a Bank of America branch. That bank branch is now closed, but Jessie P. Miller Elementary School and West Gate shopping center are just to the east.
The chicken restaurant proposal recently resurfaced, but on the Manatee County Building Department project list, cryptically described as “redevelopment of a bank into a quick serve restaurant with drive thru.” No address was listed.
Bill Logan, the county’s information outreach manager, got an explanation from Public Works Director Chad Butzow.
“The intersection of Manatee Avenue and 43rd Street West has been in its current configuration for over 30 years. The community has grown significantly around it. As such it is in desperate need for a redo and thus recent addition to the county capital improvement program,” Butzow said.
Public Works is in the initial stage of a design for intersection reconstruction of 43rd Street West at Manatee Avenue to improve traffic flow by adding turn lanes and extending turn lanes on the north-bound approach to Manatee Avenue.
“The desire is have two left turn lanes, one through lane and one right-turn lane. The southbound approach will need some work to keep proper alignment with the south side. We do not anticipate much direct work on Manatee Avenue itself other than resurfacing required to adjust the striping. Clearly with this work the traffic signal mast arms will be replaced,” he said.
So, while the permitting for Chick-fil-A falls under the city’s purview, the intersection at 43rd Street West is the responsibility of county government.
For its part, Chick-fil-A plans to help keep traffic flowing by putting the majority of the 97 parking spaces in the heart of the property and providing dual drive-thru lanes, capable of stacking up to 52 vehicles that would wrap around the perimeter of the 2.1-acre parcel.
It may be possible at some point in the future to have your chicken sandwich and improved traffic flow, too.
What does Chick-fil-A have to say?
“While we are still early in the process, Chick-fil-A is happy to share that we are actively pursuing a new location in the Bradenton area. We look forward to working through the approval process with the City of Bradenton and are excited by the prospect of joining this neighborhood. We hope to have the opportunity to serve new guests delicious food in an environment of genuine hospitality,” a Chick-fil-A, Inc. statement said.
