Speed limits reduced on nine roads in Manatee County

Drivers in Manatee County are going to have to slow down after commissioners approved lowering speeds on segments of nine county roads to 35 mph or less. 

After 44th Avenue East opened, staff reviewed the speed limits on connecting roads. Other corridors on the list were suggested to be reviewed by residents and commissioners. 

“Speed is one of the major factors of injuries, so we want to mitigate that,” said Vishal Kakkad, Manatee County traffic engineering division manager. 

Commissioners approved the reduced speed limits during the Dec. 16 commission meeting, but drivers won't see changes until mid to late January. 

The new speeds must first be submitted to the state, and then the new signs need to be made and installed.

East County roads start being affected at Morgan Johnson Road from State Road 64 to 44th Avenue East. The speed limit will lower from 40 mph to 35 mph.

In addition to reducing speeds, Kakkad said another way to reduce traffic accidents is by making speed limits uniform so drivers know what to expect. 

Creekwood Boulevard from 44th Avenue East to State Road 70 has existing speed limits of 30 mph and 40 mph. Once the new signs are in place, the speed limit will be 30 mph throughout the corridor. 

Dam Road from Waterline Road to State Road 64 and Waterline Road from Rye Road to Dam Road have speed limits of 45 mph, which will be lowered to 35 mph. 

Waterline Road resident Mark Vanderee called lowering the speed limit a “great first step,” but he told commissioners that more needs to be done to improve safety in the area. He specifically noted the intersection of Waterline Road and Rye Road as being hazzardous. 

“Lately, there have been a lot of nasty accidents,” Vanderee said. “Someone will die if you don’t do something there. You could look at putting signalization up there, even if it’s temporary, and stop putting cars out there (by approving more developments).”