State begins removing references to Gulf of Mexico on Longboat roadway

Florida transportation crews are in the process of removing references to Gulf of Mexico, including street signs at major intersections identifying Gulf of Mexico Drive along the thoroughfare on Longboat Key, the town said Tuesday.

Town officials stress, however, the name of the roadway has not been changed, only outward references to the name, Gulf of Mexico. The town set up a FAQ page on its website to help answer residents’ immediate concerns.

“It is important to note that this action does not formally change the local name of the roadway,’’ wrote spokeswoman Tina Adams. “Street addresses using “Gulf of Mexico Drive” in the Town, remain unaffected at this time

The move is in connection with a recently passed state law that in part reads: "All references in Florida statutes, official documents, maps, and publications that formerly named the ‘Gulf of Mexico’ shall hereafter refer to that body of water as the ‘Gulf of America.’"

President Donald Trump earlier this year formally ordered the renaming of the body of water by executive order.

Any decision to rename the street, which extends from one end of the island to the other, rests with town officials, Adams wrote.

Earlier this summer, a resident proposed the town rename the stretch of state-maintained highway Gulf of America Drive. The highway, which the state will recognize only as State Road 789, is maintained by Florida Department of Transportation.

Adams said the town has planned a workshop on Oct. 20 to discuss the possible renaming of State Road 789.