A new I-75 interchange could be coming near Manatee County. Here's what to know

Florida lawmakers approved another $5 million for the design of a new Interstate 75 interchange at Fort Hamer Road that could give Parrish residents easier highway access.

Construction could begin as soon as 2028, according to funding documents.

FULL STORY: A new Interstate 75 stop for Manatee County? A Florida highway plan is in motion

Here are key takeaways:

• The latest $5 million appropriation follows $7.5 million approved last year and will advance the interchange’s design. Construction could start in 2028 and finish in 2030.
• The project is primarily located in Hillsborough County but would connect to Manatee County through a possible Fort Hamer Road extension from Buckeye Road to the county line. Manatee County supports the interchange but does not plan to help fund it, a county spokesperson said.
• Commissioner Tal Siddique pushed back on social media concerns that the interchange will attract new development. “There’s certainly always fears about new infrastructure inviting new growth, but the reality is …you’re more responding to growth with a project like this than you are trying to pre-plan,” Siddique said.
• Separately, Manatee County has $11.5 million in design work planned to widen the existing 3.8-mile Fort Hamer Road from Upper Manatee River Road to U.S. 301, converting it to a four-lane divided roadway with bike lanes, a sidewalk and a new bridge across the Manatee River.
• Project documents say the interchange will help relieve regional traffic, connect east and west corridors and improve evacuation routes.

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.