Commission 'made a mistake' on U.S. 41 plan

Calling it a mistake to combine a funding request for two major transportation projects, a city commissioner plans to ask the full commission to reverse the decision.

Commissioner Terry Turner said because Sarasota has to compete with every city vying for funds from the Metropolitan Planning Organization, it will be difficult to get the $134 million estimated for the projects.

City commissioners last week requested the MPO to consider funding a new design for U.S. 41 from University Parkway to Bee Ridge Road to include roundabouts, multi-use trails and public transportation accommodations.

The board made the section of U.S. 41 from University of South Florida to Orange Avenue its top priority and from Orange Avenue to Bee Ridge Road its second priority.

“As a commission, we made a mistake,” Turner said. “I feel passionately that we need to unbundled these two issues, or we’re dead.”

Turner will request that change at the Sept. 7 City Commission meeting. He will push to fund the North Trail improvements because he sees the most economic advantage from that project.

Contact Robin Roy at [email protected].