Manatee County should acquire land now for future road needs to ease traffic

The traffic on U.S. 41/301 through Bradenton and Palmetto is extremely congested. A major change in traffic flow is mandatory.

I think a new bridge to the east for U.S. 301 traffic would be a good solution. A direct extension up 27th Street is an obvious route with a new bridge reconnecting with the existing 301.

Updating all involved traffic lights to "smart" versions would provide immediate relief.

A midterm improvement could be extending U.S. 301 one mile north to SR 64 via Ninth Street East and then east to U.S. 75 North to rejoin 301 at Ellenton. There appears to be enough right-of-way to do this.

In the 1950s, when 301 was built, no one considered the future growth in our area. At the time, it made perfect sense to use U.S. 41 for 301 traffic as a big cost savings. With hindsight, it was a huge mistake.

At that time, land up 27th Street East was likely nearly empty and a right-of-way for a future extension of 301 North to and across the Manatee River could be had for a very reasonable price. Now it is built up and likely very expensive. We will pay dearly for that new bridge!

The situation at 75th Street West and 53rd Avenue West is now very similar. Eventually, a new connection to Longboat Key and the extension of SR 70 will become mandatory.The land needed (10 acres or so) is still farmland and should be available for a reasonable price.

Why are our leaders not looking ahead? As what has happened in the past clearly establishes that future growth will force new roadways.

Please, commissioners, think of our future and get the required rights-of-way now that we will require in the future!

William Follmer

Bradenton

This story was originally published April 23, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Manatee County should acquire land now for future road needs to ease traffic ."