Why did Manatee County delay expanding Lorraine Road? Here’s what to know

Manatee County Government plans to widen Lorraine Road, but the long-awaited projected could take a while.

County staff say the design phase of the plan to widen Lorraine Road from two lanes to four between State Road 64 and State Road 70 is complete, but the estimated $117 million project has no funding in the county’s five-year plan.

The expansion could come as late as 2031, even as commissioners and residents raise safety and gridlock concerns about the busy north-south corridor.

FULL STORY: When will this busy Manatee County road be expanded? It could take a while

Here are 5 key takeaways:

• No funding has been identified for the Lorraine Road project from fiscal year 2026 through fiscal year 2030, according to Ogden Clark, a communications coordinator for Manatee County.
• Commissioner Bob McCann, whose district includes Lorraine Road, called it his top priority. “It really does need to be built. It is not only a safety issue, but, the thing is…if you put any more cars on that road, you’re going to just have gridlock,” he said.
• When the Board of County Commissioners voted on Capital Improvement Plan changes in September, one option would have fully funded the Lorraine Road expansion — but it required cutting 32 other projects. The board chose a different option on a 6-1 vote, with McCann dissenting.
• County engineer Scott May said Lorraine Road’s cost would consume about 50% of the budget, taking away too much from other projects. He said impact fees from new development could help fund the expansion sooner.
• A new high school is planned nearby in Lakewood Ranch, and developments continue to be approved around Lorraine Road. The board reviews its five-year capital plan annually, meaning the project could be funded sooner if officials vote to adjust the plan.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.