Ranch boulevard expansion approved

Sarasota County commissioners voted Wednesday to further advance plans for extending Lakewood Ranch Boulevard to Fruitville Road.

The commission adopted a resolution trasmitting a comprehensive plan amendment related tot he location and alignment of the roadway on its 2025 Future Thoroughfare Plan to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity for review and comment.

The road's construction will provide a critical north-south alternative from University Parkway to Fruitville, officals say.