FDOT extends time on Palmetto-Bradenton traffic study survey

MANATEE -- The Florida Department of Transportation is receiving "an overwhelming response" from the public regarding its Central Manatee Network Alternatives study, according to Lawrence Massey, FDOT project manager. However, FDOT feels a vital segment of the population is missing from the surveys focused on traffic concerns in the primary corridors between Bradenton and Palmetto and plans to extend time to garner that input.

FDOT launched the public input segment of the study last month and is now mobilizing a "ground game" to ensure the surveys reach more people, with an emphasis on those who rely on or prefer using the existing public transit system.

According to FDOT officials, surveys will be conducted at various bus locations on both sides of the river.

Massey said census data shows 10 percent of households within the study area do not have access to motor vehicles and 24 percent are low income.

"Public transportation plays a significant role in access to jobs, retail, health care and civic amenities for these residents," said Massey. "We would like to understand how well the transit system is serving riders today and what improvements would increase access to their daily activities."

Massey said transit users, in particular, "have a unique perspective on adequacies of modal facilities and their ideas will help us prioritize future improvements."

The Central Manatee Network study is being done in conjunction with Manatee County, Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Federal Highway Administration. It covers 13 square miles of the primary traffic corridors between Bradenton and Palmetto. Project boundaries included in the study are 26th Street West to the west, Ellenton-Gillette Road to the east, 17th Avenue West to the south and 17th Street West to the north.

In 2014, an average daily count number of 57,500 vehicles crossed the DeSoto Bridge and 33,000 passed over the Green Bridge. The count is estimated to grow to more than 70,000 over the DeSoto Bridge and almost 47,000 over the Green Bridge by 2035. With the DeSoto Bridge also at the end of its life cycle, FDOT officials acknowledge doing nothing is not an option. When the surveys are completed at the end of April, the next step will be to develop and evaluate transportation solutions that meet the goals identified out of Phase 1.

Phase 2 will look at short-term solutions, as well as long-term comprehensive goals that will require years of development and design. Phase 3 will get viable concepts into a program of projects and priorities of funding and then implementation through the MPO.

Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant is conducting a ground game of her own by trying to get as many people as possible to respond to the survey at cmnaa.com.

"It is critical to get everyone's input, not just drivers but pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users that travel the corridor," said Bryant. "The bulk of the congestion in Palmetto stems from south of the Manatee River and is intensified by accidents and other issues on corridors to the east."

Mark Young, Herald urban affairs reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7041 or follow him on Twitter@urbanmark2014.

This story was originally published April 12, 2016 at 11:23 PM with the headline "FDOT extends time on Palmetto-Bradenton traffic study survey ."