Another new roundabout is coming to Manatee County. Take a look at the plans
The Florida Department of Transportation is planning $6.1 million in improvements to the northern gateway of the City of Palmetto, including adding a roundabout.
Scheduled to start in February 2023, the project on Business U.S. 41 from 17th Street West to Bayshore Road would add a roundabout at 23rd Street West.
Currently, cars traveling along 23rd Street West, which serves Blackstone Park, the Palms at Terra Ceia Bay and other neighborhoods, cannot make a left turn onto U.S. 41.
U.S. 41 is steeply banked and sharply curved, helping make it a dangerous intersection.
Between 2015 and 2020, there were 28 crashes, two fatalities and 19 injuries in the stretch of highway planned for improvement, according to statistics provided by FDOT.
Reached for comment Wednesday afternoon, Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant said city officials are “absolutely” looking forward to the installation of the roundabout.
“We have had a myriad of accidents there,” said Bryant, who recalled at least two fatal accidents at the intersection.
The roundabout is expected to serve as a traffic-calming device that will force drivers to slow down their vehicles before approaching downtown Palmetto, where the speed limit drops to 30 mph.
“Initially, I was really opposed to roundabouts, but what I’ve learned is that they reduce fatalities by 90% compared to a traffic signal,” Bryant said.
She explained that her position changed after spending more than a decade on the Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization, which coordinates transportation improvements. “It’s a much safer direction to take.”
The planned improvements are designed to:
▪ Increase safety
▪ Restore access to northbound U.S. Business 41 from 23rd Street West while continuing to reduce angle and left-turn crashes
▪ Provide a U-turn function for traffic wanting to travel north from 26th Street West
▪ Improve traffic capacity by improving traffic flow not only for vehicles but also for pedestrians
▪ Improve the condition of the roadway and drainage
Project completion is forecast for the spring of 2024.
Open house planned
FDOT has scheduled an open house 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, at Palmetto City Hall, 516 8th Ave. W., to share information with the public on the project.
The public can talk to FDOT staff and view exhibits related to the project.
For those unable to attend, open house exhibits and materials will be available on the project website at www.swflroads.com.
This story was originally published January 18, 2023 at 2:24 PM.
