Bullock directs plan for traffic meeting

Traffic on Longboat Key seems to have reached record levels. Complaining about traffic on Longboat Key also appears poised to break new records.

Now, Town Manager Dave Bullock plans to capitalize on the tension.

Bullock told the Longboat Key Town Commission at its regular meeting Monday night at Town Hall he’s working to schedule a meeting with Florida Department of Transportation officials, county administrators from Manatee and Sarasota counties, as well as municipality officials in Sarasota and Bradenton Beach before the end of season to work through issues that have cars stacking up on both ends of the Key.

“There’s a consensus this needs another look with FDOT,” Bullock said. “I’m on a path to help other managers come up with a forum to discuss this in a different way with all the players at the table.”

Drawbridge openings will also be a topic of discussion. 

Citing complaints about traffic from all over Longboat, Lido and Siesta keys and surrounding municipalities, Bullock said now is the time to hold a discussion. 

“Trying to plan your life around this traffic is upsetting people and the momentum to alleviate seasonal traffic is greater than previous years,” Bullock said. 

The commission is well aware traffic is backing up for miles in both directions — and that’s without either the former Longboat Key Beachfront Hilton or Colony Beach & Tennis Resort tourism units back online yet.

Vice Mayor Jack Duncan urged Bullock to craft a meeting “in a big room and publicize it well so the public can demonstrate to these officials what this issue is like.”

“I can’t go anywhere without somebody bringing up a 25% to 30% increase in traffic this season,” Duncan said. 

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].