Ambitious $2 Billion Initiative Aims to Revamp Suncoast's Riskiest Roads

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SARASOTA, Fla. — In a bid to enhance road safety and bolster resilience against severe weather, regional planners have unveiled an ambitious transportation plan targeting some of the most hazardous routes in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has approved a comprehensive $2 billion strategy, crafted using detailed crash data to pinpoint areas with high rates of severe injuries and fatalities.

A recently published report highlights Tampa as having the nation’s worst holiday traffic conditions.

Rather than applying a blanket solution, the strategy tailors improvements to each corridor’s unique challenges—whether they involve excessive speeding, unsafe pedestrian crossings, insufficient lighting, or inadequate storm drainage.

“We consider a range of measures, from re-engineering speed limits to implementing traffic-calming techniques in specific zones,” explained David Hutchinson, the MPO’s Executive Director. “Crossing safety is also a key focus area.”

Although priorities are set, many of the improvements will take time. Hutchinson says major projects — like road widenings or bridge work — can take 8 to 12 years from concept to completion.

“It’s a process that I won’t say never ends, but what we do focus on is projects getting built,” he said.

Studies are already underway along U.S. 41 in downtown Bradenton, one of the highest-risk corridors on the MPO’s High-Injury Network. Officials say those findings will help determine which projects get funded first.

The MPO updates its long-range plan every five years and continues sending safety priorities to the Florida Department of Transportation for design and construction.