Future Broadway roundabout approved by Town Commission

The Longboat Key Town Commission passed resolutions Monday, Sept. 8 that move the Broadway Street roundabout project forward. But don’t expect to travel around the traffic circle in the next year.

The roundabout would replace the intersection at Broadway Street and Gulf of Mexico Drive. The intersection at the north end of the key currently does not stop traffic at Gulf of Mexico Drive and has stop signs on each side of Broadway Street. City leaders say the roundabout will improve traffic flow and increase safety.

“The community up there has looked for safer access to the beach from the village, and the roundabout will do a great deal to make that a safer intersection,” Commissioner BJ Bishop said. “I’m not a huge fan of roundabouts, but in that area it works. It will work very well to mitigate the pedestrian and cycling safety issues.”

Photo by S.T. Cardinal

Studies on roundabouts back that claim up. According to the Florida Department of Transportation, there are fewer vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist crashes at roundabouts, 90% fewer fatalities and a 30%-50% increase in traffic capacity. Other benefits include energy savings (no traffic signal, cars not sitting stationary at stoplights) and the ability for the circles to be landscaped.

The commission unanimously approved an agreement Monday that would allow the contractor who eventually constructs the circle to perform utility relocation work before paving the road. The commission also approved a separate agreement with FDOT that states the town will be responsible for landscaping and brick paver maintenance at the roundabout.

Photo by Carter Weinhofer

Town engineer Jennifer Fehrs said the town hopes to have design work completed by the end of February. The town has submitted plans before, which FDOT denied in 2023 due to the slope of the road in the submitted plans. That blank slate gave the town the opportunity to redesign the project as a "complete streets" project which includes bike lanes and follows the town's comprehensive plan for a pedestrian friendly environment. The new plans will include bike lanes and a 12-foot multi-use trail adjacent to the circle.

FDOT’s website for the project shows the advertisement for construction bids is scheduled for July 2026.

According to commission documents, the utility relocation is expected to cost $989,184. The total town cost for the project is expected to be $1.7 million. Construction costs are being funded primarily by the Florida Department of Transportation, which is acting as project lead. The most recent cost estimates for the project are $5.4 to $6 million, which Fehrs said has not changed as of Monday.