- December 4, 2025
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Out of seven legislative priorities set by Manatee County staff members and commissioners, two are slated for East County — an aging bridge in Myakka City and a new multiuse trail through Rye Preserve.
The bridge is on Singletary Road about a half-mile south of State Road 70. It crosses a branch of the Myakka River and was built in 1970.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, the average daily traffic count in 2024 was 650 vehicles and the bridge does not meet “the current acceptable standards” for the bridge railings, approach guardrails or the transitions between the bridge and the road.
The substructure, everything underneath the bridge that holds up the road, is rated a seven, which indicates it’s in “good condition.” The deck and superstructure, which combine to form the road that cars drive over, are both rated at a five, which indicates “fair condition.”
The total cost to replace the bridge is estimated at $3 million. The county is requesting $1.5 million from the state and will be required to match $1.5 million.
When commissioners shifted focus from roads to trails during the final phase of this year's budget season, Clarke Davis, deputy director of Traffic Management, said that one trail was the “closest to construction” — the trail through Rye Preserve.
The design is 75% complete.
The North-South Gateway Greenway Trail will start at Waterline Road near the Lake Manatee Water Treatment Plant and run north through the preserve, up to State Road 62.
The county is requesting the federal government to fund the entirety of the $6 million cost, split over two years — $3 million in fiscal year 2027 and $3 million in fiscal 2028. Construction would be phased with the allocations.
Overall, Manatee County is asking for $24 million across seven projects. Here’s a look at the other five projects outside of East County.
In one year’s time, the cost for this project rose from an estimated $30 million to an estimated $40 million. The county plans to start a nonprofit to fund most of the costs but is still seeking both state and federal funding.
The request is for $6 million to build a “centralized services and memorial space for veterans and families.” This project will be located at 5431 Buckeye Road in Palmetto.
The total estimated cost to extend the corridor from 53rd Avenue West to El Conquistador Parkway is $35 million. Manatee County will ask the state to fund $3 million.
What began as an off-the-cuff comment by Commissioner Tal Siddique that perhaps “some people might feel bad vetoing our appropriation request for Charlie Kirk Road” turned into a serious conversation.
A portion of that extension is slated by commissioners to be named after Kirk, the conservative political activist who was shot to death Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University. Staff will have to return to commissioners with an official resolution for a vote, but the vote to direct staff to do so was unanimously approved at the Oct. 7 commission meeting.
During the presentation of the legislative priorities to commissioners Oct. 8, Commissioner Amanda Ballard asked that the title be changed from the 51st West Extension Project to Charlie Kirk Memorial Parkway.
Because it’s not official, the new name will be added to the materials in parentheses.
Manatee County is requesting $3 million from the federal government for “flood mitigation, stormwater treatment and support for nearby road projects" at 15150 Golf Course Road in Parrish.
The 95-acre property was first considered for purchase in 2024 through the Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Committee. The property spans a half-mile along Gamble Creek and another half-mile along an unnamed creek and Frye Canal. It’s also home to threatened species, including gopher tortoises and swallow-tailed kites.
Instead, the property was purchased in April 2025 for $9.5 million using stormwater capital and 2023 bond proceeds. The property provides the needed right-of-way for the future widening of Golf Course Road and can also be used for flood storage.
Since Manatee County’s Public Works employees will be moving over to the county’s second administration building on Town Center Parkway in Lakewood Ranch, the building the department currently occupies at 1022 26th Avenue East in Bradenton is being renovated for Fresh Start, which will offer services for homeless individuals and families.
The total project cost is estimated at $10 million. Currently, the request is for $2.5 million from the state and an undetermined amount from the federal government.
The pier at 103 N. Bay Blvd. suffered severe damages in 2024 due to Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. The estimated cost to repair and rebuild the pier is $8 million; the request is for $2 million.
While the work session to discuss the priorities took place Oct. 8, the final priorities will be voted on at the Oct. 21 commission meeting.
