Put priority on Manatee County traffic, not environment

Recently it was reported that Manatee County would get $12.4 million from BP to be used for environmental projects over the next few years. I suspect that some of the BP funds could be used in place of presently forecast county funds, thus freeing monies for other projects.

It was also reported that FDOT, Manatee and Sarasota counties are planning on spending $675,000 on another traffic study. We do not need another "study"! We need concrete action now to resolve major traffic issues.

I have two ideas regarding where to spend some of the above money that would benefit everyone. First, acquire land for the westward extension of 53rd Avenue to Sarasota Bay and second update to "smart" traffic lights on our major streets.

In Manatee County a crippling issue is the traffic tie-ups that presently occur on our major roads. The addition of over 7,600 new homes on Cortez Road will make the present traffic problems look like nothing. Considering there is enough land south of Cortez Road to build another 25,000 to 30,000 homes. The worst is yet to come!

The traffic flows on our existing main roads can be drastically improved by installing "smart" traffic signals, as is being done at University Mall. By applying the same technology to Highway 41, Manatee Avenue, Cortez Road and 53rd Avenue all in the county would benefit, not just the mall shoppers.

In conclusion, for some of the money made available with the BP settlement and the traffic study funds we could vastly improve Manatee County traffic flow and provide a basis for inevitable future expansion. Is there a better way to use this money? I don't think so. Let's do it now! Contact you county commissioner and let them know your thoughts.

William Follmer

Bradenton

This story was originally published December 26, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Put priority on Manatee County traffic, not environment ."