FDOT starts $4.6 million pedestrian safety project in Bradenton. What to know

The Florida Department of Transportation has launched a major pedestrian safety overhaul on a busy stretch of U.S. 41 in Bradenton.

The project comes as Manatee County continues to see dozens of pedestrian crashes each year.

FULL STORY: ‘Proven to save lives.’ FDOT begins Bradenton crosswalk upgrades on busy road

Here are key takeaways:

• The $4.6 million project covers 1.27 miles of U.S. 41 from 63rd Avenue West to 53rd Avenue West and will continue through late 2026.
• Upgrades include seven mid-block crosswalks with pedestrian beacons, raised medians, new sidewalks, lighting, signalization and resurfacing.
• Manatee County saw 171 pedestrian crashes, 18 fatalities and 123 injuries in 2025. So far in 2026, there have been 83 pedestrian crashes and six fatalities.
• Pedestrian hybrid beacons flash yellow, then solid red to stop drivers. The U.S. Department of Transportation says they reduce pedestrian crashes by 55% and serious or fatal crashes by 15%.
• Early data from a similar 2022 project on Cortez Road West shows a 72% reduction in fatal and serious injury crashes, according to FDOT.
• Drivers should expect lane closures, and pedestrians may need to follow detours during construction.

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.