FDOT opens new operations center in Manatee

The Florida Department of Transportation today opened its new operations center, which will service Manatee and Sarasota counties.

The 52,600-square-foot facility, located on about 42 acres at 14000 State Road 64 E., Bradenton, will streamline communication for FDOT’s employees and provide other benefits, said FDOT District 1 Secretary Billy Hattaway.

FDOT’s prior location was at a 1950s building at University Parkway and U.S. 301. It had been added upon several times over the years. 

“Employees had to travel from building to building. It stood in the way of communication and getting the job done day to day,” Hattaway said. “We’ve been plugging holes and done repairs on the building for a long time.”

The new facility cost about $19.3 million.