Manatee commission OKs lower speed limit on Rye Road
MANATEE -- Motorists driving along Rye Road between State Road 64 and County Road 675 will have to drive a little slower soon.
The speed limit on this stretch of roadway was lowered to 45 mph during Tuesday's Manatee County Commission meeting. The new speed limit will be enforced once signs are posted within the next couple of weeks. The speed limit on that section of Rye Road is 55 mph.
Commissioner Betsy Benac said she's been asking for awhile to look at the speed limit on Rye Road.
"I think this is a very good thing," Benac said.
Commission Chairwoman Vanessa Baugh echoed Benac.
"I'm glad to see that we are doing this," Baugh said, adding she gets a lot of emails about Rye Road.
A roundabout is proposed for State Road 64 at Rye Road, which would be constructed with revenue from the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. A traffic signal instead of a roundabout is also being considered.
The commission also:
Accepted a $20,000 donation from the Friends of the Braden River Library for "the development of architectural/engineering plans for the potential expansion and/or renovation of the Braden River Library," according to agenda materials.
Amended a grant agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Recreational Trails Program to extend the expiration date from May 19 to Dec. 31 for development of a trail system at Robinson Preserve.
Authorized a local agency program agreement with Florida Department of Transportation to install adaptive signal control technology equipment at 10 intersections along State Road 70 and U.S. 301.
Set a public hearing for June 7 to consider an ordinance to allow golf carts within Heather Hills Estates and the Village of Cortez.
Approved an economic development incentive and a transportation impact fee incentive for Project AURORA, which will expand a manufacturing facility in Manatee County. The company is projected to create 55 quality jobs over five years.
Adopted a budget resolution to allow county building and development services to have a satellite office in Ellenton. The department will move into a building formerly occupied by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at a cost of $332,736 for necessary improvements. The money will come from the building services fund.
Authorized an agreement with Turning Points for a pilot onsite blood testing, education and treatment program.
Voted to discuss construction of the Tara Bridge when the commission discusses the capital improvement program during this summer's budget talks.
Issued certificates of public convenience and necessity for West Coast Southern Medical Service and Ambitrans Medical Transport to provide private medical transportation services in Manatee County.
Claire Aronson, Manatee County reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7024. Follow her on Twitter @Claire_Aronson.
This story was originally published May 10, 2016 at 11:35 PM with the headline "Manatee commission OKs lower speed limit on Rye Road ."