The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) recently completed the $61 million River Road widening project in Sarasota County.
The project expanded River Road from two lanes to six lanes between U.S. 41 and I-75, tripling roadway capacity and providing significant congestion relief. Original plans for the project called for expanding from two to four lanes. This was later changed to six lanes after FDOT heard community feedback. Residents expressed their transportation needs, especially along some of the state’s most critical evacuation routes.
“This project reflects FDOT’s commitment to delivering transportation improvements that make a meaningful difference for the people and communities we serve,” FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue, said. “By looking at the entire corridor and finding opportunities to deliver more, we are building better connections and infrastructure designed to serve Southwest Florida for years to come.”
The project, a longstanding regional transportation priority, was coordinated by FDOT, Sarasota County, the Sarasota/Manatee MPO, and other regional partners. It also included other improvements throughout the corridor such as safety improvements, pedestrian and bicycle improvements, and wildlife crossings.
Two 10-foot-wide shared-use paths were installed along both sides of River Road, and ADA-accessible ramps, pedestrian islands, upgraded lighting and signals, and other improvements were installed throughout the corridor.