- May 4, 2024
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Ogden Clark, the strategic affairs manager for Manatee County's Public Works department, simply was confirming to the Lakewood Ranch Rotary Club members what they already knew.
More growth means more road improvements.
Clark was speaking Sept. 7 at the Rotary Club's meeting at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
He didn't have any magical answers. He told the members that adding approximately 5,000 new homes every year in Manatee County is going to stress the roadways unless new roadways and built and existing roads are improved. Manatee County's population is approximately 430,000 with more people, and drivers, on the way.
"In 2010, they projected that Manatee County by the year 2045 would be where we are now with population," Clark said during the meeting.
With the continued growth, Clark said the county's Capital Improvement Plan funding has expanded exponentially as well. Funding from state and federal programs as well as local funding has ballooned the Capital Improvement Budget from $300 million to $1.8 billion, he said.
Clark gave an overview of road projects impacting both Rotary Club members and East County residents.
Multi-lane roundabout
Details: Construction of a multi-lane roundabout at the intersection of Player's Drive and Lorraine Road. It will include accommodations for pedestrian and bicycle users.
Estimated cost: $2,111,000
Projected completion: 2024
Public meeting: 6-8 p.m. Sept. 27 at St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church, 11315 Palmbrush Trail, Bradenton
Roundabout
Details: The intersection currently has stop signs, which during peak periods doesn't allow for the intersection to operate efficiently. A roundabout will be constructed in its place.
Estimated cost: $1.24 million
Projected completion: 2024
Public meeting: 6-8 p.m. Sept. 21 at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 7461 Prospect Road, Sarasota
Roundabout
Details: Reconstruction of the median at 52nd Place East to restrict left turn movements and construct a roundabout at the 73rd Street East intersection.
Estimated cost: $1,775,000
Projected completion: 2024
Traffic light
Details: Traffic signals will be installed with mast arm supports.The project includes new crosswalks with crosswalk signals and fiber optic communication-related infrastructure and other Advance Traffic Management System devices.
Estimated cost: $2.2 million
Projected completion: 2024
Extension of 44th Avenue East from 45th Street East to west of Interstate 75.
Details: The county is in the progress of extending the road from a quarter-mile west of I-75 to Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. It will include a bridge over I-75 as well as either a bridge or causeway over the Southeast Water Treatment Facility Stormwater Pond just east of I-75. The project will include a roundabout at the intersection of 44th Avenue East and Lena Road, which also is being extended approximately 0.27 miles south of the roundabout. This will be a four-lane road with bike lanes, divided median, curb and gutter, sidewalk, multi-use trail, street lighting, utilities, drainage infrastructure and storm management systems.
Estimated cost: $129,194,683
Projected completion: 2026
Total 44th Avenue extension project cost: $250,801,879
Road widening from two lanes to four lanes from 59th Avenue East to State Road 64
Details: Project will include a bridge, four 12-foot lanes, a 22-foot median, curb and gutter, 4-foot bike lanes, 5-foot sidewalks in each direction and street lighting.
Estimated cost: $38,096,874
Projected completion: 2025
Reconstruct and widen Upper Manatee River Road from north of State Road 64 to Fort Hamer Bridge from two to four lanes
Details: The project will widen approximately 2.2 miles to have four 11-foot lanes with two lanes in each direction. Improvements include an 18-foot raised median, 6-foot buggered bike lanes, a curb and gutter, a 5-foot sidewalk on the east side of the roadway, a 10-foot sidewalk on the west side of the roadway and street lighting. A traffic light will be installed at the entrance to Waterlefe Golf and River Club.
Estaimted cost: $25,736,886
Projected completion: 2025
Connect Lena Road from 44th Avenue East to Landfill Road
Details: Lena Road will be a two-lane urban roadway from south of 44th Avenue East to Landfill Road. Construction will be scheduled after the completion of the 44th Avenue East extension project. The final design is expected to be complete in late 2023.
Estimated cost: $12,022,471
Projected completion: To be determined
Fort Hamer Bridge: Design and construction of a two-lane bridge parallel to the existing Fort Hamer Bridge. It will include pedestrian and bicycle facilities and lighting.
Fort Hamer Road: Widen the roadway from two lanes to four lanes over a 2.2-mile stretch from Fort Hamer Bridge south to S.R. 64.
Estimated cost: $22.6 million
Projected completion: 2027
