Major traffic relief coming soon to Manatee roads with 44th Avenue extension
A Manatee County project that originated nearly six decades ago is almost complete — and it’ll make a huge difference in traffic congestion from Lakewood Ranch to Bradenton, officials say.
County officials announced the 44th Avenue East Extension will open Saturday 9 to all traffic. The roadway’s expansion includes a new overpass across Interstate 75, nearly two miles of new roadway east of I-75 to Lena Road, a roundabout at Lena Road and a bridge over the reclaimed lake at the Southeast Water Reclamation Facility.
The overpass above I-75 features four lanes, sidewalks, bike lanes, multi-use trails and enhanced street lighting.
“This is a legacy project,” Manatee Board of County Commissioners Chairman George Kruse said in a news release. “We are pleased to bring this to completion.”
The new east-west corridor is expected to reduce traffic on State Road 64 and State Road 70, two east-west roadways with I-75 exits, by 21,000 vehicles per day, the release said. The new road can handle more than 36,000 vehicles per day of traffic.
“This is an entirely new corridor,” Manatee County Public Works Director Chad Butzow said in a news release. “If you were frustrated on the volume of traffic on (SR) 64 and (SR) 70, this will give you a totally new option.”
Major 44th Avenue extension set to open
The project’s origins started in 1968 as part of the county’s concept development plan. It “was reinforced through the 1989 Comprehensive Plan” and capital improvement plans, the news release said.
“Now, after years of planning, engineering and construction, we’re proud to mark the completion of the final piece,” Commissioner Bob McCann said in a news release.
Social media users weighed in on the expansion, too.
“Long overdue,” one user wrote.
“The new road is great,” another commenter wrote.
“This will help alleviate the traffic on SR64 and 70 and spread out the truck traffic,” another user wrote. “Especially since SR 70 is going to have about (eight) roundabouts.”
The project spans six major phases totaling an estimated $268 million, according to the project’s original construction costs.
The opening is also in time for the first day of the 2025-26 Manatee County school year on Monday.
For more information, visit 44thAveEast.com.
