FDOT bridge options continue to fall short in court of public opinion, but a ‘no build’ option is worse

The Florida Department of Transportation has many obstacles to overcome in trying to solve Manatee County’s congested traffic grid, but overcoming public opposition to the varying proposals is the biggest issue the department faces.

FDOT held its latest round of public meetings Thursday at the Bradenton Area Convention Center to once again present several new bridge options as part of the Central Manatee Network Alternatives Analysis. Options haven’t changed much for the 13-square-mile study between Bradenton and Palmetto. They include replacing the DeSoto Bridge, which is need of replacement anyway, with a flyover, or two-tier bridge that would allow pass-through traffic to use the upper deck while local traffic would traverse improved roadways below.

Other options include a new bridge at 27th Street East, 15th Street East or Ninth Street East. Those options present several environmental and historical challenges. The 15th Street East option would have a major impact on the historical areas of Old Manatee and the 27th Street East option affects the historic Braden Castle, as well as areas that have been deemed “critical wildlife” areas.

“I don’t want it,” said Braden Castle area resident Michele Learsch. “We literally just bought our home a year ago because of the beautiful view we have. We can look out and see all of the different birds and wildlife. We fell in love with it for that reason. We don’t want to see that ruined.”

Skepticism runs high that FDOT could run a new bridge through those environmentally sensitive areas, which would require intensive reviews from various state agencies. While the flyover may be the most viable solution, it has received the largest public outcry opposing the concept. Flyovers have historically damaged local businesses and the fear is that it would have the same negative impact for Bradenton and Palmetto businesses under the flyover.

A little more than a week ago Bradenton officials criticized FDOT, calling the DeSoto Bridge flyover proposal a “terrible project.”

FDOT representatives also received an earful from the First Street community earlier this week. FDOT Project Manager Lawrence Massey acknowledged those concerns and admitted that flyover bridges have historically left a negative impact. But Massey believes with the right design, it can both solve the traffic congestion and improve the First Street community.

He has asked citizens of that community to become part of a First Street Commission to meet with FDOT on a regular basis to resolve those concerns. Tim Polk, managing director of Urban Planning Solutions and former city planner, said the flyover, “Is a no go for the community. First Street does need to be improved, but it can be done with what’s already planned in form base code and the city’s urban master plan.”

Polk said none of the alternatives being presented are viable at the moment, but that can change if, “FDOT works with us and not for us.”

Massey said it’s still very much a work in progress.

“What we are trying to do is narrow down an alternative of the three that we can consider, which includes a fourth alternative, which is a no-build scenario,” he said.

Massey said the next step is for the three bridge options to go through environmental review with local and state agencies to, “Weigh in on the impacts.”

Once a recommendation is made, Massey said he understands that community support will be an important component of what FDOT does next, but, “If any of those alternatives have significant opposition, we could end up with a no-build scenario,” he said.

As it stands now, the flyover would impact Bradenton all the way into the 2700 block of First Street, and a similar scenario awaits Palmetto. However, Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant is calling for calmer heads and said it’s too early in the process to overreact.

“I’ll withhold judgment until I see some more detailed designs,” Bryant said. “What I don’t want to see is people coming in and just saying, ‘I hate it. I don’t want it.’ Come in and tell them why and offer some suggestions. This is what this process is for.”

Comments can be sent by mail to Central Manatee Network Alternatives Analysis, Florida Department of Transportation District One, P.O. Box 1240 Bartow, FL 33831. Questions or concerns can be addressed by emailing Massey at Lawrence.Massey@dot.state.fl.us or Deborah Chesna at Deborah.Chesna@dot.state.fl.us. The proposals can be viewed in full at swflroads.com/study/CNMAA.

This story was originally published December 14, 2017 at 7:25 PM with the headline "FDOT bridge options continue to fall short in court of public opinion, but a ‘no build’ option is worse."