Bradenton-Palmetto traffic congestion is target of FDOT study

MANATEE -- As one of two connections between Palmetto and Bradenton, 57,500 vehicles drove on an average day in 2014 over the DeSoto Bridge, which is at the end of service life.

Should no roadway improvements be made to the existing bridge or other alternatives be put into place, the average annual daily count is projected to increase to 70,100 by 2035.

The Green Bridge, which now has an average annual daily traffic count of 33,000, would see an increase to 46,900 in 2035 should nothing be done.

Florida Department of Transportation is conducting a Central Manatee network alternatives analysis to "address local and regional travel needs while supporting broader economic development goals," according to study materials. FDOT is working with Manatee County, Palmetto, Bradenton, Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization and Federal Highway Administration to look at the 13 square miles, which includes Palmetto and Bradenton.

Doing nothing about traffic congestion on the bridges, especially during the winter season, is not an option, officials say.

"A percentage of the community is having difficulty with congestion on portions of Manatee Avenue and on the Manatee River crossings during peak traffic periods of the day, and a surprisingly large percentage of residents rely on alternatives modes of transportation to get to work, to shopping and their other daily routine destinations," Lawrence Massey, FDOT project manager, said of the findings received so far from public outreach. "Of those using alternative modes of travel, more sidewalks, bike lanes and lighting were their primary concerns."

To get more public input, a visioning workshop will take place from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, One Haben Blvd., Palmetto. The project boundaries are 26th Street West on the west, Ellenton-Gillette Road on the east, 17th Avenue West on the south and 17th Street West on the north.

"This first workshop is intended to provide the community with an opportunity to learn about our findings on existing conditions and to provide their perspectives on transportation issues they are experiencing within the study area," Massey said.

Project documents and graphic displays will be on display during the open house where people can ask questions and provide comments in a one-on-one setting, according to a news release.

"The communities' involvement in this study is essential to not only understanding their needs, but to foster stakeholders' ownership of the process," Massey said. "The Central Manatee Network Alternatives Analysis is their project and the workshop provides them with an important opportunity to have their voices heard."

More than 1,000 people responded to a survey conducted about current conditions.

"Cortez Rd. is horrible busy. Manatee Road (sic) is terribly busy. These are the only thru roads to the west. Congestion on area roadways is exasperated by minimal number of water crossings," one survey response reads.

Another response: "Heaven help the emergency vehicles as I've seen it take 20 minutes for them to cross the bridge in rush hour."

After the workshop, the second phase of the study will begin "to develop and evaluate transportation solutions that meet the goals and objectives identified in phase 1," Massey said.

"These solutions will consist of improvements that can be addressed in the short term and larger more comprehensive long term projects that will require several years of development and design before construction can begin," he said. "In phase 3, viable concepts will be integrated into a program of projects and priorities of funding and implementation through the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization."

FDOT is expected to deliver a study update to the MPO during a Metropolitan Planning Organization meeting at 9:30 a.m. Monday at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

Information: Go to cmnaa.com.

Claire Aronson, Manatee County reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7024. Follow her on Twitter@Claire_Aronson.

This story was originally published March 25, 2016 at 7:05 PM with the headline "Bradenton-Palmetto traffic congestion is target of FDOT study ."